tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1571318689389676512017-08-16T14:08:30.931-05:00our dozen beautiful feetloving god and others, learning at home with four littles, food, cross-cultural living, adoption, and anything else that makes up my lifeMeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541722811479993606noreply@blogger.comBlogger221125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157131868938967651.post-47373093096849148372017-08-03T11:47:00.004-05:002017-08-04T09:33:44.911-05:00Planning for 2017-2018 Year<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Two years ago, I wrote about looking to the future and having a Road Map for your homeschool journey, thinking through goals and tools to achieve them, and having a big picture in mind. I also began being more intentional to plan over the summers so that my weeks and days would flow more smoothly. I found that time spent in the summer to be very well spent. I remember reading something from Brandy Vencel on Afterthoughts blog about the energy wasted by task-switching. I took away that its better for me to pull out all my books for history or science once over the summer and spend several hours planning out the whole year, than to pull those same books out every single Sunday afternoon or evening and spend a few minutes planning the next week. &nbsp;So over the past couple of years, I have gradually created documents and tools to help me plan over the summer in ways that free me up to do more reading and thinking, rather than planning, during the school year. <br /><br />This summer, my planner took on a life of its own. I happened to see a planner system called The Happy Planner, recommended on a general life planning website. I thought it was PERFECT for my school planning system, and it got my creative juices flowing. I had been using a weekly planning spreadsheet I'd created a couple of years ago really successfully, as well as some other random forms I'd downloaded online. This summer, though, I took on the project of making all my own matching forms, getting a Happy Planner, and putting together a whole system that will work for me all year (and be super cute while it does it's job).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IH-493i1SLk/WYNNq4_stgI/AAAAAAAADVY/4uV2h7koydQDmz987wxpH-GRh8vBwuzPQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_5269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IH-493i1SLk/WYNNq4_stgI/AAAAAAAADVY/4uV2h7koydQDmz987wxpH-GRh8vBwuzPQCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_5269.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Doesn't that just make you happy too? :)<br /><br />Here's a quick look at my planner and how it works. I drew a lot of inspiration from Plan Your Year by Pam Barnhill, Mystie Winckler's copious posts on planning and organizing, and several free downloadable planners. But no one system worked just perfectly for me, so I had to get to tweaking. &nbsp;This is what I came up with! :)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TVMKc-QJQnk/WYNN6gZnhTI/AAAAAAAADVw/IRX_e9L5xk088bq67HAZQQA0-CZWsuVJgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_5270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TVMKc-QJQnk/WYNN6gZnhTI/AAAAAAAADVw/IRX_e9L5xk088bq67HAZQQA0-CZWsuVJgCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_5270.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />First tab is for Calendar:<br />I have a year at a glance, where I circle the days we spend doing a full day of school, to keep a record of that for our states requirements. Then I have one page for each month where I can record field trips, service projects, special activities, co-op days. &nbsp;I also have a quote on each page from my reading journal/commonplace book that makes me smile. :)<br /><br /><br />Next tab is my reference and notes section:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IbZLH6j3FTA/WYNNvqAF5OI/AAAAAAAADVc/kJCzvptFTskP9iyalEdj6MsdvpHukNEcgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_5271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IbZLH6j3FTA/WYNNvqAF5OI/AAAAAAAADVc/kJCzvptFTskP9iyalEdj6MsdvpHukNEcgCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_5271.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />First up is my Morning Time Master Plan. I use an excellent book called Living Memory by Andrew Campbell to make my morning time plans simple each year. &nbsp;I spend an hour or two choosing what we'll read from the Bible, what hymns we'll learn, what Shakespeare plays and Plutarch lives we'll read, what books we'll read aloud, what composers and artists we'll get to know, and also what Scripture, poetry, and historically important things we'll memorize together. That all goes on this master sheet, so when its time to plan morning time for the week/term, I just refer to this and see where we are. I have a Morning Time planning sheet by term I'll show you in a bit...<br /><br />Next in Notes are things for reference: a list to keep track of books read for each child, and a scrapbook style page for recording memories, keeping photos, anything like that. Because the way the Happy Planner works, I can print as many of these as I need, fill them up, and add them whenever. :)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1On-w55LiD0/WYNNz9mP8CI/AAAAAAAADVk/jDlSaJ-pR34J6YlsSZQEua2dBCqRkzstwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_5273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1On-w55LiD0/WYNNz9mP8CI/AAAAAAAADVk/jDlSaJ-pR34J6YlsSZQEua2dBCqRkzstwCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_5273.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vtJ3k4_2HTc/WYNN1M2fQsI/AAAAAAAADVo/kMgcTL5Ogo49MsDeHQnrV69bn2yKjKltACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_5274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vtJ3k4_2HTc/WYNN1M2fQsI/AAAAAAAADVo/kMgcTL5Ogo49MsDeHQnrV69bn2yKjKltACEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_5274.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />Last in the Reference section is a Goals worksheet. My older two kids and I will work through this the first week of school and come up with a few goals of things they'd like to accomplish this year. I used the basic idea of Pam Barnhill's Goal worksheet, but customized it for our subjects and areas I'd like them to think through, and added a place to ad Action Steps:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--atMibBgPYY/WYNNwHPFFGI/AAAAAAAADVg/oAPOhoJZVtQ16MN6ypJipq02Sv-f0jucQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_5272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--atMibBgPYY/WYNNwHPFFGI/AAAAAAAADVg/oAPOhoJZVtQ16MN6ypJipq02Sv-f0jucQCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_5272.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I have six tabs of six week terms, and at the front of each term is a weekly prep checklist. I have six weeks of checklists on one page. This is just a place for me to look each weekend as I plan at the things I know I regularly need to do that I often overlook or get too busy to do, but which are very, very important. I need the reminder front and center.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WvXbisYaqYY/WYNN4HJMkRI/AAAAAAAADVs/gIUFt3eZWR4gVny2orsVFHNeHdYJqf_IQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_5275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WvXbisYaqYY/WYNN4HJMkRI/AAAAAAAADVs/gIUFt3eZWR4gVny2orsVFHNeHdYJqf_IQCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_5275.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />Next are my Morning Time checklist. &nbsp;It is where I record the specifics of what we're doing each week and check off the days of the week that we read, sang, looked at these things. I pull from the Morning Time master to fill this in for the week. Disclaimer, I do NOT expect all those boxes to be checked. :) &nbsp;We will not do all of this everyday.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dyQuWwopGPE/WYNN8fB_VaI/AAAAAAAADV4/vftmxWQP6OYp6ucyeaXClfVoKGFgDTOnQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_5277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dyQuWwopGPE/WYNN8fB_VaI/AAAAAAAADV4/vftmxWQP6OYp6ucyeaXClfVoKGFgDTOnQCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_5277.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Next up is the weekly assignment spreads. This is my command central. It shows me everyone's assignments for the whole week in every subject. It takes me about 15-20 minutes to fill this out every weekend, because the names, subjects, and blocks are already there. This sis what I needed: something with the form already in place. I did not want to have to write students names and subjects in every week. My time is too precious for that. :)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cFng1u1PVbk/WYNOLY_ud1I/AAAAAAAADWQ/VhP0R8DqSJ8xdwU3fc9TWCe_8uj-U2QCwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_5278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cFng1u1PVbk/WYNOLY_ud1I/AAAAAAAADWQ/VhP0R8DqSJ8xdwU3fc9TWCe_8uj-U2QCwCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_5278.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The math and language sections are pretty easy to just fill in page and chapter numbers. &nbsp;Science and Humanities is a little more complex since I'm pulling together lots of different resources. So I have Big Picture planning sheets at the back of my planner I refer to to fill these in. More on that later.<br /><br />Once I have everyone's assignments on this command central spreadsheet for the week, I fill out my older kids Independent Work checklists. &nbsp;This is the work they are expected to do on their own in the mornings. &nbsp;We start with morning time, and then the older two take their checklists and planners and books and work independently for an hour and a half. During this time, I do 1st and 2nd grade with my younger two, math, language arts, read aloud, science. This usually takes us up to lunch time. In the afternoon, I go over the independent work with the big kids, and we do science and humanities together. &nbsp;Here's their independent checklists:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jJgkIgH2KnE/WYNN7e4OdvI/AAAAAAAADV0/hD2kcuFizzcXCqJGOBbp2YfKO12QzwtdgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_5276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jJgkIgH2KnE/WYNN7e4OdvI/AAAAAAAADV0/hD2kcuFizzcXCqJGOBbp2YfKO12QzwtdgCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_5276.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After my six tabs with these weekly spreadsheets and checklists, I have a tab for each subject as a reference section. &nbsp;This is where I keep my big picture planning. &nbsp;This is what is most time-consuming about my summer planning, but it pays off royally through they year. For humanities, I'm making book choices, scheduling literature, choosing geography assignments, and hands-on projects...for the whole year. I map it out on a spreadsheet like this, and then each week, I just have to look at the week we're on and the assigned readings and projects. I normally use a laid out science curriculum, but this year I'm pulling together several different unrelated resources to study human anatomy, so I did the same thing for science: listed my resources at the top, matched up the chapters with each other based on the subject/topic, and chose projects/experiments and activities. Here's a look at my big picture sheets:&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6O8rHlDEMi0/WYNODogsuEI/AAAAAAAADWA/QtHu2LKDoBE3e_3qDss2vsbhJI9CEIhRACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_5280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6O8rHlDEMi0/WYNODogsuEI/AAAAAAAADWA/QtHu2LKDoBE3e_3qDss2vsbhJI9CEIhRACEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_5280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xWI0gahK5y8/WYNOAeDE3ZI/AAAAAAAADV8/VY5w7LyS6wEnebykqMD71c8GWxKby0YUACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_5281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xWI0gahK5y8/WYNOAeDE3ZI/AAAAAAAADV8/VY5w7LyS6wEnebykqMD71c8GWxKby0YUACEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_5281.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nOkXej14Z_Q/WYNOFGTuEnI/AAAAAAAADWE/E6woCI_bkFE66TXCvkNgcQpTYlfbXKihgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_5282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nOkXej14Z_Q/WYNOFGTuEnI/AAAAAAAADWE/E6woCI_bkFE66TXCvkNgcQpTYlfbXKihgCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_5282.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MR6GmzOqvtM/WYNOLJ_2CkI/AAAAAAAADWM/Evyp05VNhUwOAok4uDrMlKF1Hb7TArAFgCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_5283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MR6GmzOqvtM/WYNOLJ_2CkI/AAAAAAAADWM/Evyp05VNhUwOAok4uDrMlKF1Hb7TArAFgCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_5283.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I love these sheets, because they allow me to quickly survey the books we need for an entire unit, and how many weeks we're spending with each book. So if we have a busier than usual week, I can look ahead and say, "Ok, we have this book for three weeks, so we can catch up." or whatever the case may be. This is the "big picture" or birds' eye view of the unit and year that is so helpful in seeing where we're going!<br /><br />Now that I have all these forms made, they will be super easy to adapt and print each year, and just replace in my planner. They'll also serve as a great record of what we've done and accomplished each year. I have really enjoyed making this this summer, and every time I look at it, I know I will be thanking myself on Sunday evenings all year long. :) I'm also thinking of putting these up for download somewhere for a low price. I'd love your thoughts on what you see here!<br /><br /></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541722811479993606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157131868938967651.post-45680110884915499232017-07-17T11:10:00.000-05:002017-08-03T11:49:36.980-05:00Preedy Academy: Year in Review, and Year in Preview<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I have largely abandoned my homeschooling posts, obviously. This is because I have learned that I don't know enough to be writing about what I'm doing. I am still such a learner and this year has been no exception. We did accomplish most of what I set out and planned for us to do last year. But not exactly in the way I thought it would. With buying a house and renovating it in six weeks in the middle of the year, our spring semester got a little jumbled, and we had some shifting for the better.<br /><br />The best part of this year was my own self-education that has happened. &nbsp;Our small co-op here decided to join up with the new Schole Group Network, and as a result, we were given access to www.classicalu.com. I took several courses on there this past year: Teaching From Rest, The Liberal Arts Tradition, Latin for Teachers, and The Eight Essential Principles of Classical Pedagogy, among others started but not yet finished. I learned so much from those classes! This year, somehow, I've also read:<br /><br />-Orthodoxy by Chesterton<br />&nbsp;-The Liberal Arts Tradition by Clark and Jain<br />-Desiring the Kingdom by Smith<br />-Plato: The Great Philosopher-Educator by David Diener<br />-Towards a Philosophy of Education by Charlotte Mason<br />-Home Education by Charlotte Mason<br />-Formation of Character by Charlotte Mason<br />-School Education by Charlotte Mason<br />(I got really interested in whether Charlotte Mason's ideas were in sync with the main ideas of classical education, and found her whole pink six volume set for $10 at a sale. So I'm reading through them... two more to go!)<br /><br />I was also so blessed to go to a Great Homeschool Convention in February and get to hear Sarah Mackenzie, Dr. Christopher Perrin, and Andrew Kern in person and have real live conversations with them! It was just amazing!<br /><br />I feel like I have grown leaps and bounds. I've had so many questions answered, and many more created. My imagination has been stirred, and I've been inspired to keep pursuing virtue through learning to love truth, goodness, and beauty together as a family.<br /><br />So last year, this was our plan, with what we didn't accomplish in full or decided to drop, crossed out:<br /><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">MORNING TIME:</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;"><strike>-Westminster Shorter Catechism, last 36 questions, with devotions from Training Hearts, Teaching Minds </strike>(<i>we did the first 24 questions instead)</i></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">-Reading Psalms, Proverbs, Matthew</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;"><strike>-Twelfth Night from Shakespeare</strike></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">-Music of the Hemispheres by Michael Clay Thompson</span><br /><strike><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">-Simply Charlotte Mason Picture Study Portfolios (Botticelli, Rembrandt)</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">-SQUILT for music appreciation and composer study</span></strike><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">-Memory Binders: Shakespeare monologues, Psalm 139 and a couple other passages, three hymns, traditional prayers and liturgical readings, and poetry selections</span><br /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">LANGUAGE:</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">Upper Grammar:</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">-Latin for Children Primer B</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">-Writing &amp; Rhetoric Books 4-5</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">-Reasoning &amp; Reading book 1 (only half, we'll spread this out over two years)</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;"><strike>-All About Spelling Level 6 (only half, also will spread this out over two years)</strike></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">-Grammar Town <strike>and Grammar Voyage </strike>(MCT Language Arts)</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">-New American Cursive Book 3</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">(NOTE!: We will not be doing all of this everyday. We will have 3 elements of LA everyday: Latin, Writing, and the others on a loop or by term)</span><br /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">1st grader:</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;"><strike>-All About Spelling Level 1</strike></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">-Copy work for handwriting (<i>and we moved into Cottage Press Primer 1 in the spring)</i></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">-Veritas Press Readers</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">-Christian Liberty Nature readers</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">-Narration practice</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">-Song School Latin 1</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;"><strike>-Ambleside Online read aloud selections (</strike><i>we focused on Tapestry books instead)</i></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">(Again, not all of this everyday)</span><br /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">KG:</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">-All About Reading Level 1 (phonics)</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">-Handwriting Without Tears Book 1</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">-Read Alouds from AO Year 0</span><br /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">MATH:</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">-MUS (Zeta, Epsilon, Beta, Primer/Alpha)</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;"><strike>-Select MEP Pages for puzzle and play with math from Year 4/Year 1</strike><i>(it was just too much. MUS was enough).&nbsp;</i></span><br /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">SCIENCE:</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">Upper Grammar:</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">-Berean Builders for Historical Science Science in the Ancient World/Science in the Age of Reason, <strike>one lesson per week</strike><i>(we did an occasional lesson, definitely not one per week. Maybe 20 this year?)&nbsp;</i></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">-Memoria Press Book of Astronomy: supplemented with Storyland of the Stars, Find the Constellations as read alouds and lots of star gazing.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">-Elementary Geography as a read aloud</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">-Memoria Press Geography II</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">(AGAIN: Not doing all of this everyday. Rotating in and out.)</span><br /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">Lower grammar:</span><br /><strike><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">-Exploration Earth Animal supplement (copywork, animal study and classification)</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">-Burgess Animal Book of Nature Lore</span></strike><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">-Working on continents</span><br /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Cardo; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">HUMANITIES:</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">-Tapestry of Grace Year 2: Upper Grammar level for older two kids, Lower Grammar read aloud only for little kids</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;"><strike>-AO Year 4 independent reads for Upper Grammar kids</strike></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">-L: He will begin cello in the public school orchestra, and piano lessons</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">-K: She will continue with violin at home and piano lessons</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;;"><span style="font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">As you can see, I&nbsp;over-planned. We didn't get through or even to everything on this list, but I'm very satisfied with what we did accomplish. And I learned an important lesson. It's good to have lots of ideas. Its not good to expect it all of your kids. Also, a shorter book list that I can keep up with is better than a long&nbsp;one that is so intimidating we just don't do any of it. :)&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;;"><span style="font-size: 14.850000381469727px;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;;"><span style="font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">Next year, we are basically keeping the same path in place. Just taking the next steps in Latin for Children, Writing &amp; Rhetoric, All About Spelling, and Reasoning &amp; Reading for the older kids, as well as moving on to Grammar Voyage and Building Poems by MCT. (Nota bene: I adore MCT grammar and poetics). Little ones will continue with phonics, handwriting, and Levi in Cottage&nbsp;Press Primer 1 and reading his McGuffey reader, Meryn with the Veritas Press readers. Everyone's moving up a level in math. Same with science: moving on to Geography 3 by Memoria Press for the older two, and doing an Anatomy study all year together.&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;;"><span style="font-size: 14.850000381469727px;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;;"><span style="font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">Little new things we're trying:&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;;"><span style="font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">-Anatomy: Memoria Press didn't have&nbsp;anything on this, and we were all interested in studying the human body. So we're using Sassafrass as a spine and jumping off point. I also have Body by Design and an Anatomy coloring book for the older kids, and we'll learn the Lyrical Life Science songs on each body system for fun. :) &nbsp;I have some fun body books and games for the little kids, and we'll also be&nbsp;reading through a set of Childcraft books I got at a library sale, all about our world. :)</span></span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;;"><span style="font-size: 14.850000381469727px;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;;"><span style="font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">-The Art of Problem Solving math: we're going to give this a whirl. Just for my pre-algebra student, Luke. I happened upon it while doing some looking at on-line pre-algebra classes. I'd never heard of it, but it looks like a really fun and interesting approach, so we'll try it. But I went ahead and bought the MUS Pre-Algebra materials to&nbsp;have on hand in case its a total bomb. :)&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;;"><span style="font-size: 14.850000381469727px;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;;"><span style="font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">-French for Children A: Yes! We are ready to begin another new language! I'm really looking forward to learning French together. :) (Older kids only... littles are just beginning Song School Latin). We are doing both Latin Primer C, and French Primer A at half pace, so over the next two years, we'll cover both books, but only one new chapter a week, alternating between Latin and French. This way we are continuously studying both languages and making progress and keeping it fresh, but not being overwhelmed. (At least I hope that's how it goes!) :)</span></span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;;"><span style="font-size: 14.850000381469727px;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;;"><span style="font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">-Simplified history: I've been toying around with this for a couple of years, and have finally decided this is the way to go. The older two kids have 4-5 books for the year that cover the time period as spine type books. They will rotate readings from these books all year long. Then for each 9 weeks of history topics, I have a handful of other books that they pick 2-3 to read based on what's most interesting to them, what they want to know more about. &nbsp;Each week I ask them to give me one written narration about their history reading. It can be a journal type entry of what was interesting, a biographical paragraph or short essay on a person they&nbsp;read about, a first person fictional account as if they were living in the story. Anything they'd like. This has been a much better approach for us that is manageable. We were getting overwhelmed with all the books and not getting to many if any of them because of the looming pile. I also try to be familiar with or have read all the books they will be reading over&nbsp;the year and&nbsp;these shorter piles makes that a lot easier. :) &nbsp;I'm finding that reading fewer excellent books more slowly is giving us more room for thinking, contemplating them, discussing them. &nbsp;For the little kids, we have a small stack of historical non-fiction/picture books, and literature, about one small book a week. Other than that, we are focusing on My Book House volumes 2-4 this coming year. I will also read aloud a short chapter&nbsp;several times a week from The Story of the Great Republic by Helene Guerber for everyone to keep the story of history going for all of us together.&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;;"><span style="font-size: 14.850000381469727px;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;;"><span style="font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">That's my plan! I feel like its simplified from last year, and it&nbsp;has to be. I learned&nbsp;about my limitations last year as I added my fourth student to the mix. It's hard to spread yourself out between kids learning Latin and reading super fun books and a budding reader and teaching letters, the moving on to long division and decimals, then back to basic place value. So much task-switching. :) &nbsp;I learned what works for us and what we can reasonably accomplish, and, more importantly, what I need to trust my older kids to be responsible for on their own. This brought peace and a very Schole (leisurely learning from a state of rest as opposed to hurried anxiety) feel to our days.&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">Blessings to you as you prepare for and begin your year!</span></span></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541722811479993606noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157131868938967651.post-84605289329385545692017-03-25T21:50:00.001-05:002017-08-03T11:50:07.229-05:00From the Top Down<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Often over the last two months, I've wondered what it would feel like to sit down to close on a house and feel a sense of accomplishment and finality. Because at ours, it was like someone just handed us a permission slip to start working. :) &nbsp;When we closed, there was not much anticipation of moving, settling, nesting. It was all plans for what to get started on first.<br /><br />Through the closing process, I had found a contractor that I really gelled with and trusted, though for no apparent reason. :) &nbsp;I just liked him because his bid was incredibly detailed on a massive spreadsheet with prices, taxes, product names and everything. I knew we would get along. So once I had seen what all each project would cost, we were able to narrow down what we could do ourselves and what we needed the professional to do. &nbsp;Let's start with the top floor.<br /><br />Upstairs has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Two of the bedrooms are larger than average, and one is a pretty normal size. :) There wasn't much that needed to be done in the bedrooms aside from new paint and finishing the windows. &nbsp;The carpet was in fine shape, but needed to be stretched and cleaned. &nbsp;Our contractor did the shower tiling, installed a new window in the only window in the whole house that was not replaced to match the rest, and sanded down the master bath ceiling. &nbsp;Otherwise, we did the rest up here ourselves.<br /><br />The bathrooms were another story. &nbsp;The main hall bath had no flooring and was down to the studs around the shower. The master bath technically was usable, but the shower hadn't been cleaned in I don't know how long and was disgusting. &nbsp;The floor was pretty bad, and the vanity was not an ideal master bath vanity. &nbsp;So I basically wanted to gut it (but leave the standing shower and nice glass doors if they could be cleaned up). &nbsp;The first thing I did when we got the keys was come and clean that shower to see if it was salvageable.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lTwa25r5kmE/WLjWB8pxD-I/AAAAAAAADRc/dgCd9wZ966guuIJ_vcC3oUDZJXKpVJ9fACK4B/s1600/IS2jb0jg59z2081000000000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FzC2BNx0xkE/WLjWMOllLgI/AAAAAAAADRk/xGvlrOHr218-aKObPsnI90yE_0vBBhOBACK4B/s1600/IMG_2917.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FzC2BNx0xkE/WLjWMOllLgI/AAAAAAAADRk/xGvlrOHr218-aKObPsnI90yE_0vBBhOBACK4B/s640/IMG_2917.jpg" width="640" /></a><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lTwa25r5kmE/WLjWB8pxD-I/AAAAAAAADRc/dgCd9wZ966guuIJ_vcC3oUDZJXKpVJ9fACK4B/s640/IS2jb0jg59z2081000000000.jpg" width="480" /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Guess what??<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fIcPQ0UKJyM/WLjWRfEMDrI/AAAAAAAADRs/2mMG8H66iG4LQFvGUM1Ni4bVSGc0DetXQCK4B/s1600/IMG_2918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fIcPQ0UKJyM/WLjWRfEMDrI/AAAAAAAADRs/2mMG8H66iG4LQFvGUM1Ni4bVSGc0DetXQCK4B/s640/IMG_2918.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was totally salvageable! It looked nearly brand new after a good scrubbing! :) &nbsp;We also ripped up the old linoleum, put down new, and got a new vanity and paint. &nbsp;Here's the before and afters</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FWmUF9Ku8uM/WLjW2BngtBI/AAAAAAAADR0/EaYh8dYciswUz7gLEG_6H8yv5S3ac3n7wCK4B/s1600/IMG_2381.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FWmUF9Ku8uM/WLjW2BngtBI/AAAAAAAADR0/EaYh8dYciswUz7gLEG_6H8yv5S3ac3n7wCK4B/s640/IMG_2381.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UqSuTFDWGSw/WLjW8Mn4wuI/AAAAAAAADR8/sNkLRBvXjoE6zT7jp9V8XJgajh3NWDJxgCK4B/s1600/IMG_2928.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UqSuTFDWGSw/WLjW8Mn4wuI/AAAAAAAADR8/sNkLRBvXjoE6zT7jp9V8XJgajh3NWDJxgCK4B/s640/IMG_2928.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And, after:&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iUlf4jzofAg/WLjZEBd60yI/AAAAAAAADSE/hEFUHTXXL4YtYAH7GMVDbeyeD9B1fwSUACLcB/s1600/IMG_3401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iUlf4jzofAg/WLjZEBd60yI/AAAAAAAADSE/hEFUHTXXL4YtYAH7GMVDbeyeD9B1fwSUACLcB/s640/IMG_3401.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--xUFBfhfT00/WLjZDoGa9cI/AAAAAAAADSA/4OfKqRwluaQvQ9zc7unVA9cc4I6xmBgrgCLcB/s1600/IMG_3402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--xUFBfhfT00/WLjZDoGa9cI/AAAAAAAADSA/4OfKqRwluaQvQ9zc7unVA9cc4I6xmBgrgCLcB/s640/IMG_3402.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6lPHjx9hKBM/WLjZEqxL47I/AAAAAAAADSI/hSuGUg_K-EkmuREX829EaBcI44i9qkbFQCLcB/s1600/IMG_3403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6lPHjx9hKBM/WLjZEqxL47I/AAAAAAAADSI/hSuGUg_K-EkmuREX829EaBcI44i9qkbFQCLcB/s640/IMG_3403.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>One thing that was a major chore was the ceiling in this bathroom. It was like a stucco that was horribly inconsistent that I could not chisel off. I ended up having our contractor, David, sand it all down flat so we could paint the ceiling. Ew. That was a chore and left a huge mess! But, glad we did it. :)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K1UmPpuBiJ8/WLjac4Xrc7I/AAAAAAAADSk/oRr2yHJNc8YVyc7lgp3yhpraFokBgE0vgCK4B/s1600/IMG_3028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K1UmPpuBiJ8/WLjac4Xrc7I/AAAAAAAADSk/oRr2yHJNc8YVyc7lgp3yhpraFokBgE0vgCK4B/s400/IMG_3028.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><br />For the kids bathroom, we changed everything but the cabinet and the toilet. New vanity top, new shower, new window trim, new paint, new floor!<br /><br />Before:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HpNGll5VYgI/WLjZxXXMVeI/AAAAAAAADSY/qriS2SFQrDIpbjUeRdP1Xj3-TmSlufRjgCK4B/s1600/ISqximcac9hlr91000000000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HpNGll5VYgI/WLjZxXXMVeI/AAAAAAAADSY/qriS2SFQrDIpbjUeRdP1Xj3-TmSlufRjgCK4B/s640/ISqximcac9hlr91000000000.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gxMENmurufk/WLjZxbwQRVI/AAAAAAAADSU/IyPe8Pa9lbMZScwPs0YJh7C8oeIeXiTnQCK4B/s1600/ISewhn3wqtpi671000000000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gxMENmurufk/WLjZxbwQRVI/AAAAAAAADSU/IyPe8Pa9lbMZScwPs0YJh7C8oeIeXiTnQCK4B/s640/ISewhn3wqtpi671000000000.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you followed along on Facebook you saw some of the baby steps in this bathroom, but here's the final product, After!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LLy2E0EO0Ms/WLjaya5_QtI/AAAAAAAADSo/m_ffGGHllukJDc_S_79_xPjV6u37hpcTgCLcB/s1600/IMG_3405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LLy2E0EO0Ms/WLjaya5_QtI/AAAAAAAADSo/m_ffGGHllukJDc_S_79_xPjV6u37hpcTgCLcB/s640/IMG_3405.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FXCXONzhrKA/WLja0VoZ0SI/AAAAAAAADSw/5IjjKORtnJ4OnYU6Y7VC-JEfwxWuMIZ5QCLcB/s1600/IMG_3406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FXCXONzhrKA/WLja0VoZ0SI/AAAAAAAADSw/5IjjKORtnJ4OnYU6Y7VC-JEfwxWuMIZ5QCLcB/s640/IMG_3406.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KcOvFF2d8aM/WLjazXyIX8I/AAAAAAAADSs/p6IP2_HnzxkgNa0nBbjPzGRnrv_7cBvVwCLcB/s1600/IMG_3407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KcOvFF2d8aM/WLjazXyIX8I/AAAAAAAADSs/p6IP2_HnzxkgNa0nBbjPzGRnrv_7cBvVwCLcB/s640/IMG_3407.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One thing I was sure of was that I did not want grout in the bathroom floors. We chose a vinyl sheet for our bathroom and the laundry room, and went with slightly nicer vinyl tiles for the kids bathroom. I'm pleased with both of them!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's the before and after pictures of the upstairs bedrooms!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-75U919GmVV8/WNcpdhbKbJI/AAAAAAAADTo/caU09cERmycsvnLZSY6Tpll4r20I7bGjACLcB/s1600/ISadsf00kqtk591000000000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-75U919GmVV8/WNcpdhbKbJI/AAAAAAAADTo/caU09cERmycsvnLZSY6Tpll4r20I7bGjACLcB/s640/ISadsf00kqtk591000000000.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-huFKhtgLL24/WNcpgJTBqgI/AAAAAAAADTs/o44-iOQG5ogQoAp8eq9aqKI0vDuUiYFfACLcB/s1600/ISe0500xskab081000000000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-huFKhtgLL24/WNcpgJTBqgI/AAAAAAAADTs/o44-iOQG5ogQoAp8eq9aqKI0vDuUiYFfACLcB/s400/ISe0500xskab081000000000.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These are the only two pictures we have of Meryn's room before its mini-makeover, but here's her room now!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UhbmYb-mKJ4/WNcp0-NJsdI/AAAAAAAADT0/NuBkYtg08UkQdmy-QjMmdv2INYshRa1FQCLcB/s1600/IMG_3498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UhbmYb-mKJ4/WNcp0-NJsdI/AAAAAAAADT0/NuBkYtg08UkQdmy-QjMmdv2INYshRa1FQCLcB/s640/IMG_3498.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was painted with Valspar Brushed Lavender, carpet cleaned, replaced and window trimmed.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GTPWheAx1FU/WNcpl1BVIfI/AAAAAAAADTw/dH1PuhSsWxM3JnScAtc6McVKjHQMvi0lwCLcB/s1600/ISuc9o0a11r5081000000000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GTPWheAx1FU/WNcpl1BVIfI/AAAAAAAADTw/dH1PuhSsWxM3JnScAtc6McVKjHQMvi0lwCLcB/s640/ISuc9o0a11r5081000000000.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qixdCmgQw2E/WNcpaN7MVaI/AAAAAAAADTk/693lcSdXu9YYdybnMx8eRqXtPzVKB0cegCLcB/s1600/IS276kh8tgklu91000000000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qixdCmgQw2E/WNcpaN7MVaI/AAAAAAAADTk/693lcSdXu9YYdybnMx8eRqXtPzVKB0cegCLcB/s640/IS276kh8tgklu91000000000.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the boys bedroom. It is one huge room, with double closets. In here, we painted Sherwin Williams Dorian Gray, with the dormer window walls painted Magnetic Gray, trimmed windows, cleaned carpet.&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xaMZBrAFJQI/WNcp7QY5N2I/AAAAAAAADT8/YvB5wtrAWKAOYIQ3q4gxg9dt4FLnVkKBwCLcB/s1600/IMG_3499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xaMZBrAFJQI/WNcp7QY5N2I/AAAAAAAADT8/YvB5wtrAWKAOYIQ3q4gxg9dt4FLnVkKBwCLcB/s640/IMG_3499.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_HqpREJ45Os/WNcp3N205fI/AAAAAAAADT4/JrX6zul8fVsvUINQxdP92IOCboIJQonNwCLcB/s1600/IMG_3500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_HqpREJ45Os/WNcp3N205fI/AAAAAAAADT4/JrX6zul8fVsvUINQxdP92IOCboIJQonNwCLcB/s640/IMG_3500.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ic4Wc4G6eY/WNcp9YhD5ZI/AAAAAAAADUA/qWovG0ywaIUA3-ei0QsRV3gYoA7AxOgWwCLcB/s1600/IMG_3501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ic4Wc4G6eY/WNcp9YhD5ZI/AAAAAAAADUA/qWovG0ywaIUA3-ei0QsRV3gYoA7AxOgWwCLcB/s640/IMG_3501.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GZuTz40fwy0/WNcp_sKR7bI/AAAAAAAADUE/e2n64O7F-A4QG2DQ54lgh1i3iHgQ3qYQQCLcB/s1600/IMG_3502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GZuTz40fwy0/WNcp_sKR7bI/AAAAAAAADUE/e2n64O7F-A4QG2DQ54lgh1i3iHgQ3qYQQCLcB/s640/IMG_3502.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And for the last room upstairs, the Master bedroom! As with the other bedrooms, all we did was paint, clean and stretch the carpets, and trim the windows, and in this room we added a light fixture.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mKCHyGvOtVo/WLjbTYxR0dI/AAAAAAAADTA/Mb_X3xKKetExoJM37hpWOsxtBixiaSCzACK4B/s1600/ISivfojtdpfxz71000000000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mKCHyGvOtVo/WLjbTYxR0dI/AAAAAAAADTA/Mb_X3xKKetExoJM37hpWOsxtBixiaSCzACK4B/s640/ISivfojtdpfxz71000000000.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KO-b7QlVWao/WLjbTQJrflI/AAAAAAAADS8/TmSYWIlB168vbcK-eDnSha3twE7m0M9XQCK4B/s1600/ISind9ou4z42t91000000000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KO-b7QlVWao/WLjbTQJrflI/AAAAAAAADS8/TmSYWIlB168vbcK-eDnSha3twE7m0M9XQCK4B/s640/ISind9ou4z42t91000000000.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XyC93zT5etM/WNcqDujsyMI/AAAAAAAADUM/BsIFQtqrNEABAIWEtgDWC-00Lh0vmbFUgCLcB/s1600/IMG_3504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XyC93zT5etM/WNcqDujsyMI/AAAAAAAADUM/BsIFQtqrNEABAIWEtgDWC-00Lh0vmbFUgCLcB/s640/IMG_3504.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gI83zib6et0/WNcp_pCckxI/AAAAAAAADUI/fUD3Pfy9ZoEHeCSwVo-sUWCYRjua1f9xgCLcB/s1600/IMG_3503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gI83zib6et0/WNcp_pCckxI/AAAAAAAADUI/fUD3Pfy9ZoEHeCSwVo-sUWCYRjua1f9xgCLcB/s640/IMG_3503.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8mgad_SjaFk/WNcqEVjtiNI/AAAAAAAADUQ/0HVYKZmJhq46A3IJSpuekmWiOXeckSOYQCLcB/s1600/IMG_3505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8mgad_SjaFk/WNcqEVjtiNI/AAAAAAAADUQ/0HVYKZmJhq46A3IJSpuekmWiOXeckSOYQCLcB/s640/IMG_3505.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JMMARvO6z_E/WNcqLKGH5EI/AAAAAAAADUg/ru8VJFMj6cgavKVXn1PE-iv-oos3GH64gCLcB/s1600/IMG_3508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JMMARvO6z_E/WNcqLKGH5EI/AAAAAAAADUg/ru8VJFMj6cgavKVXn1PE-iv-oos3GH64gCLcB/s640/IMG_3508.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The only thing left to do upstairs is to figure out what to do for window coverings for the dormer window in our bedroom. I have two panels of curtains from India, the burgundy and gold ones hanging on the larger window, that I really love. &nbsp;My options are to keep those and buy a roll down shade for the dormer, since there's hardly any wall on either side of i anyway. &nbsp;Or simply get four matching panels. I'm leaning towards a shade that wouldn't cover the beautiful window frame. &nbsp;What say you? :)&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 353px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 9784px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: &quot;helvetica neue&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 353px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 9784px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541722811479993606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157131868938967651.post-26179786340385754122017-03-02T11:47:00.001-06:002017-03-02T11:49:20.818-06:00Watching and Waiting<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Through the fall, I kept watching Zillow, but honestly, everything was now compared to what I thought the house from June could be. &nbsp;(I mean, I had probably 15 pages of graph paper drawn out of floor plans, remodeling lists, and more... so much for having put it out of my mind, right?) &nbsp;I kept trying to figure out a way to buy it for their opening bid and still be able to remodel it, but it just wasn't going to work. &nbsp;I had peace and trust though, that God would lead us to a good house that would be a blessing to us for a long time.<br /><br />Having done my research, I knew the house was in redemption until November 10th. So, my expectation was that it would get listed sometime in November, December, or January, for the asking price at the auction. &nbsp;I had also figured that we'd need about $30,000 to remodel it and repair all the damage. <br /><br />One Saturday morning in late October, we were all rushing around getting ready for the last of the soccer games for the season. &nbsp;I heard my email ding, and quickly checked. It was an automated email from the bank announcing a new foreclosure listing in Derby. &nbsp;It was THE house. &nbsp;And I screamed out loud when I saw their listing price. &nbsp;It was... you guessed it. $30,000 less than the opening bid at the auction. I could NOT believe it. &nbsp;I sent it to my realtor immediately and sat in disbelief. &nbsp;We set up a showing that afternoon as soon as we could, and we had a contractor ready to go to go with us to confirm &nbsp;estimate on the remodel. <br /><br />At 3 that afternoon, everyone gathered there. &nbsp;My parents, realtors, contractor, everyone walked through it, taking our time. I remained convinced this was just a gift from a good God to us, and no one seemed to have any major reservations. &nbsp; So we put a full price offer in. <br /><br />But you know how big banks are. &nbsp;They picked up all the offers that had come in over the weekend on Tuesday and looked at them. &nbsp;They let us all know (I have no idea how many there were) there were multiple offers, and we had until Friday to give them our *best* offer. &nbsp;Paul and I stewed on this, and thought, and prayed. &nbsp;Should we play the game and try to outbid what we think others will offer by a few hundred dollars? Or do we offer as much as we can legitimately see paying given its condition and what we want to do? &nbsp;I really, really wanted to do this. &nbsp;There was something so redemptive about taking a house like this in a sad state and bringing life and beauty back to it. It's why Chip and Jo are so popular! :) &nbsp;Plus, on the financial side, even with the remodel expenses, our investment would be well under the value of the house. &nbsp;And our mortgage would be thousands less than if we bought a ready to go home in town. &nbsp;On top of that, I will have gotten to pick out every last detail of it! &nbsp;I was motivated. So we decided to give them our truly best offer. &nbsp;We upped the ante a good bit. &nbsp;And, we got the house. :)<br /><br />But there were some unexpected hiccups along the way. &nbsp;First, when they came to turn the water on so the house could be inspected, the water heater sprang a leak, and so the bank just decided to shut the water off and say no one could turn it on until after closing. This caused us to lose our first loan option: they would not loan for a house without water. &nbsp;Thankfully, our realtor had connections and was able to get us in with a local bank that did in-house loans that was willing to take the risk. &nbsp;So then we were back on track. &nbsp;The inspection came back that it was a strong house with good bones, lots of life left in the heating/cooling, no major problems. &nbsp;So that's another step down. &nbsp;But, then the appraisal came in below our offer. &nbsp;This could have been bad. The bank could have chosen to cancel the contract and re-list the house. &nbsp;But, they decided to take the appraised value instead and keep moving forward. &nbsp;This was great for us! :) It cut our buying price down a few thousand! &nbsp;The last hurdle was with the loan. &nbsp;The loan came through fine, but the PMI company (mortgage insurance) felt they were assuming too much risk in this situation. &nbsp;We decided to plead our case. &nbsp;I sent them my list of improvements and bids from contractors, proof that we had the funds to pay for them in cash, , and statements from inspectors cleaning up some questions they had. &nbsp;We had to cancel our first closing date, but in the end, they decided to give us the go ahead, and we were able to close before the end of the year.<br /><br />There are just so many moments in those six weeks where I saw God swing doors open and set up best case scenarios for us. &nbsp;We were walking confidently into it with a perfect peace! (And, good thing I'm obsessive and already had copious Pinterest boards full of ideas and products so we could get started with the remodel ASAP! The contract required that we take occupancy within 60 days of closing!) <br /><br /></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541722811479993606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157131868938967651.post-43842419956592051582017-03-01T17:15:00.000-06:002017-03-01T20:18:28.806-06:00The Discovery<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">When Paul and I got married, we really thought we'd never own a home. &nbsp;We felt called to give our lives overseas for the kingdom of God, and felt like that would prevent us from ever buying and putting roots down somewhere. &nbsp;But as is often the case, God has plans that don't necessarily go in a straight line like we imagine they will. When we'd been in India for seven years as a family, my body spazzed and I got so sick I lost over 40 pounds. Most of you know that story, but, it ended with our returning to the states quite unexpectedly.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Once we realized and surrendered that we were back to stay, we scrambled to figure out what we were going to do. &nbsp;Paul ended up going to work with my dad, which was a really good fit for our family. &nbsp;But, it meant that we wouldn't qualify for a home loan for two years. &nbsp;I had figured out that now we were back, we'd be able to buy a house, and I was anxious to do that. But since I'd been waiting so long, and since I'd moved so many times, I had definite things in mind that I wanted. And living in a not-so-old suburb of a bigger city didn't provide those things. I wanted an old house, like at least a hundred years old. I wanted traditional charm and character, like colonial houses. I wanted a bedroom with a window nook set out on the roof. &nbsp;Big trees. Columns. Big porch. Like houses built in the 20s and 30s. &nbsp;Problem was: our town didn't start building neighborhoods until the 50's. &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>I watched the market, stalked zillow. I saw what was available in our little town and for how much for two years. &nbsp;It was hard for me to find something that I liked, let alone that I loved. &nbsp;But one day last summer, in June, my mom mentioned that a friend of ours knew the house across the street from her would be for sale soon. &nbsp;So I drove by. &nbsp;I couldn't believe what I saw. I had seen this floor plan a few times before in town, and had thought it could work for us...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_biEEvYuNco/WLdSnQ1Py4I/AAAAAAAADPE/ilifRmOswrcEwZepCpN9YerDC4SSVLWGwCK4B/s1600/ISust2ub9woysy0000000000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_biEEvYuNco/WLdSnQ1Py4I/AAAAAAAADPE/ilifRmOswrcEwZepCpN9YerDC4SSVLWGwCK4B/s400/ISust2ub9woysy0000000000.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is what I saw! Big tree! Big front porch! Dormer windows!! &nbsp;It was also in a beautiful well kept neighborhood. A neighbor next door was out in his yard and I pulled over to ask him about it. It was vacant, and he asked if I wanted to go in and see it. &nbsp;Of course I said sure! He let me in through the back door.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I walked through it in about 15 minutes and really thought it could work for us. I came home and told Paul about it and made him go back with me (we let ourselves in the back that time!) &nbsp;The problem was, it was being foreclosed on, so we had to wait on that process.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Over the next few weeks, I drew out the floor plan, thought about how we'd remodel it, and how much we could afford to pay for it and still be able to afford to remodel it. &nbsp;Because it was in terrible shape. &nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KR2XMqDqWDc/WLdTwAzXmJI/AAAAAAAADPM/v-cBb-Msq2gG08SofsIzopzyg43YKfl0ACK4B/s1600/ISmmryd0t5ear91000000000.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b5HGIaYZvAc/WLdTx2JN8FI/AAAAAAAADPU/FsuhXpvPIkgAF4SS2qhwhbY5hbtDy4OnQCK4B/s1600/ISmiox7rp3aos91000000000.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b5HGIaYZvAc/WLdTx2JN8FI/AAAAAAAADPU/FsuhXpvPIkgAF4SS2qhwhbY5hbtDy4OnQCK4B/s400/ISmiox7rp3aos91000000000.jpg" width="400" /></a><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KR2XMqDqWDc/WLdTwAzXmJI/AAAAAAAADPM/v-cBb-Msq2gG08SofsIzopzyg43YKfl0ACK4B/s400/ISmmryd0t5ear91000000000.jpg" width="400" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the living room and dining room. &nbsp;It had new windows, but they were unfinished. The dining room was missing the lower part of the wall and had no flooring.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WGiqVlf9Fls/WLdT1n7EqZI/AAAAAAAADPc/yud6J66y2NocLTGIPQd5JbHIYpoNjcL8QCK4B/s1600/ISm2kzl2v1yf671000000000.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WGiqVlf9Fls/WLdT1n7EqZI/AAAAAAAADPc/yud6J66y2NocLTGIPQd5JbHIYpoNjcL8QCK4B/s320/ISm2kzl2v1yf671000000000.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kitchen: new sliding door, unfinished, subfloor, no base boards.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pj1oK5pnNt4/WLdT5TDahqI/AAAAAAAADPk/qqwpiNhApVoGDiW9nF0ZEsqqmJh52QRqwCK4B/s1600/ISqpw31ds6af591000000000.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pj1oK5pnNt4/WLdT5TDahqI/AAAAAAAADPk/qqwpiNhApVoGDiW9nF0ZEsqqmJh52QRqwCK4B/s320/ISqpw31ds6af591000000000.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kitchen. No backsplash or floor, desperately needed the cabinets to be cleaned/refinished, and new counters</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TwHDjbR3PQw/WLdVDPBWdAI/AAAAAAAADQM/LgSCo2q8wy4-FfP9Hp4UX7Mp5P7sFWBhACK4B/s1600/ISm28ysdr4czr91000000000.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TwHDjbR3PQw/WLdVDPBWdAI/AAAAAAAADQM/LgSCo2q8wy4-FfP9Hp4UX7Mp5P7sFWBhACK4B/s320/ISm28ysdr4czr91000000000.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Laundry room: totally gutted.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2adEUrFrHPI/WLdT8XmukiI/AAAAAAAADPs/oiZtYvPmITcyFXQXI1fxuLVlG0F1-cLCACK4B/s1600/ISqximcac9hlr91000000000.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2adEUrFrHPI/WLdT8XmukiI/AAAAAAAADPs/oiZtYvPmITcyFXQXI1fxuLVlG0F1-cLCACK4B/s320/ISqximcac9hlr91000000000.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Main bathroom: subfloors, 70s counter...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p1tQ45nIsRg/WLdUBzxF7CI/AAAAAAAADP0/syKcEKhNoQsd08TorxPLHKNrr6IQ7XJcQCK4B/s1600/ISewhn3wqtpi671000000000.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p1tQ45nIsRg/WLdUBzxF7CI/AAAAAAAADP0/syKcEKhNoQsd08TorxPLHKNrr6IQ7XJcQCK4B/s320/ISewhn3wqtpi671000000000.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Main bathroom shower: nonexistent! There was some tile board there, but some down to the studs as well.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WgWYyrJJVSY/WLdUFqaRulI/AAAAAAAADP8/sOarrHShxwEju5PCgBDroXd3LTuBFdMNACK4B/s1600/ISqhyzgdgwlj081000000000.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WgWYyrJJVSY/WLdUFqaRulI/AAAAAAAADP8/sOarrHShxwEju5PCgBDroXd3LTuBFdMNACK4B/s320/ISqhyzgdgwlj081000000000.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Basement: it would need to be finished into a bedroom, with an escape window on that back wall, and an office if the house would work for us. Also, the siding was unfinished on the exterior and the driveway was missing the concrete in one large area.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The good news is, the bedrooms and family room were in decent shape.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3XPilEsnZA0/WLdVL2Z6rqI/AAAAAAAADQU/H_YomHw7sqoJisWP08zZiBwjFFOQpYstACK4B/s1600/ISivfojtdpfxz71000000000.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3XPilEsnZA0/WLdVL2Z6rqI/AAAAAAAADQU/H_YomHw7sqoJisWP08zZiBwjFFOQpYstACK4B/s400/ISivfojtdpfxz71000000000.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ai5OZO7f8Gg/WLdVMKxIx9I/AAAAAAAADQc/C0hC0KVSo2wbPFgQ6duLUdbNBjnoWaTxwCK4B/s1600/ISind9ou4z42t91000000000.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ai5OZO7f8Gg/WLdVMKxIx9I/AAAAAAAADQc/C0hC0KVSo2wbPFgQ6duLUdbNBjnoWaTxwCK4B/s400/ISind9ou4z42t91000000000.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Master bedroom</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ncTyLBSI9qU/WLdVUhkAIrI/AAAAAAAADQk/u110FZDXIYI4g4meSyH0hCeZ-9POcdWlACK4B/s1600/ISuc9o0a11r5081000000000.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ncTyLBSI9qU/WLdVUhkAIrI/AAAAAAAADQk/u110FZDXIYI4g4meSyH0hCeZ-9POcdWlACK4B/s320/ISuc9o0a11r5081000000000.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Second bedroom with double closets</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TWz_A07shgg/WLdVZC05M5I/AAAAAAAADQs/amSTNV5GA7IeaoXRsCgfPazyK5riAgREwCK4B/s1600/ISyn0czjk4ug081000000000.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TWz_A07shgg/WLdVZC05M5I/AAAAAAAADQs/amSTNV5GA7IeaoXRsCgfPazyK5riAgREwCK4B/s320/ISyn0czjk4ug081000000000.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Basement family room: all it needed was new carpet and paint</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, I did a bunch of research to find out that it was being auctioned in August. &nbsp;At the auction no one made a bid and the bank ended up with the house. I also was able to find out their opening bid on the house, which is what I figured they would list it for. At that price, there was no way we'd be able to buy it *and* renovate it. &nbsp;So I pretty much put it out of my head. &nbsp;But, I did sign up to get the updates from the bank so I'd know when they listed it, which I thought would be in November.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But, they surprised me big time!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541722811479993606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157131868938967651.post-2380379422742404282016-09-11T22:08:00.001-05:002017-08-03T11:49:51.805-05:00First Month Wrap-up!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Preedy Academy kicked off for weeks ago and we've had a great four weeks! &nbsp;So far, all the long hours of thinking and planning put in over the summer are paying off, and the choices I made for us are working. &nbsp;Praise God for His guidance and wisdom!<br /><br />Coming back from overseas, our first year we just hunkered down and did the hard work of recovery and healing. &nbsp;The second year, I felt more able to take on some things like Community Bible Study, beginning a small co-op with some friends. &nbsp;This year, I feel even more recovered and capable, but need to still be careful not to get over-committed. <br /><br />Here's some pictures from our first few weeks! The kids' schedules are pretty laid back still, but my daily schedule is pretty crazy, I'm always moving, always working with one of them, or preparing food and cleaning up. &nbsp;By 3:00, I'm so ready for them to put on their yoga or other PE video and fro me to get to workout with no one talking to me! :) <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tjRLn1tZTJM/V9XaHnFI_SI/AAAAAAAADNA/mXT_Xo_NmDQfseUoISVOmS3SoBWjFQGAQCLcB/s1600/IMG_2011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tjRLn1tZTJM/V9XaHnFI_SI/AAAAAAAADNA/mXT_Xo_NmDQfseUoISVOmS3SoBWjFQGAQCLcB/s320/IMG_2011.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G_i5RHw6vMI/V9XaHgIdK3I/AAAAAAAADM8/c1_SlZEcBzIUqu_80WkXAs7Sh2fN_FplQCLcB/s1600/IMG_2013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G_i5RHw6vMI/V9XaHgIdK3I/AAAAAAAADM8/c1_SlZEcBzIUqu_80WkXAs7Sh2fN_FplQCLcB/s320/IMG_2013.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bxv4AD2XmAU/V9XaHamhTrI/AAAAAAAADM4/1zbnoN10tz0uLoaO6vSCEhcUobT4B6lHACLcB/s1600/IMG_2015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bxv4AD2XmAU/V9XaHamhTrI/AAAAAAAADM4/1zbnoN10tz0uLoaO6vSCEhcUobT4B6lHACLcB/s320/IMG_2015.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uy4KC4lwaks/V9XaMXM5JRI/AAAAAAAADNI/v5rcU9kxpaEJ8hiYL5B8s0eWRElDLYR0wCLcB/s1600/IMG_2021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uy4KC4lwaks/V9XaMXM5JRI/AAAAAAAADNI/v5rcU9kxpaEJ8hiYL5B8s0eWRElDLYR0wCLcB/s320/IMG_2021.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wmUSAfbRijk/V9XaMTYnCrI/AAAAAAAADNE/7PbjguBL1igHuDZXqPc2_XsWYfXAbm23wCLcB/s1600/IMG_2024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wmUSAfbRijk/V9XaMTYnCrI/AAAAAAAADNE/7PbjguBL1igHuDZXqPc2_XsWYfXAbm23wCLcB/s320/IMG_2024.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Playing math games together!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jMfPrqAvZ-0/V9XaNJE4H4I/AAAAAAAADNM/RzxqrzrvO6QdheyNCrEL5T_YiFspOmjrQCLcB/s1600/IMG_2033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jMfPrqAvZ-0/V9XaNJE4H4I/AAAAAAAADNM/RzxqrzrvO6QdheyNCrEL5T_YiFspOmjrQCLcB/s320/IMG_2033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Levi is loving his first year Latin, especially getting to play Latin games on the computer!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ATf_LCVPuiQ/V9XaR1m6VHI/AAAAAAAADNQ/N1_wnnOCQb84qhHQXuK-P-zSK9Y5BtoDACLcB/s1600/IMG_2034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ATf_LCVPuiQ/V9XaR1m6VHI/AAAAAAAADNQ/N1_wnnOCQb84qhHQXuK-P-zSK9Y5BtoDACLcB/s320/IMG_2034.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Making Byzantine mosaics!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qy20g8dOi5I/V9XaSKBRIgI/AAAAAAAADNU/wD3hr7uAlV07s2sXsKJ6zdQjGIBVh-66gCLcB/s1600/IMG_2035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qy20g8dOi5I/V9XaSKBRIgI/AAAAAAAADNU/wD3hr7uAlV07s2sXsKJ6zdQjGIBVh-66gCLcB/s320/IMG_2035.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Luke opted for stained glass coloring.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2ItzHJ0u9W0/V9XaVfiZ4cI/AAAAAAAADNY/70eVKFJqPig9I3DuDgQbCAwNJAaa7tXjgCLcB/s1600/IMG_2036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2ItzHJ0u9W0/V9XaVfiZ4cI/AAAAAAAADNY/70eVKFJqPig9I3DuDgQbCAwNJAaa7tXjgCLcB/s320/IMG_2036.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kiryn chose paper crafts of damsels hats and swords.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EgM6BxoTE7k/V9XaZjg916I/AAAAAAAADNg/gAHDqrTFPuA09UiHdsLfv1gs4PHlwBHmgCLcB/s1600/IMG_2040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EgM6BxoTE7k/V9XaZjg916I/AAAAAAAADNg/gAHDqrTFPuA09UiHdsLfv1gs4PHlwBHmgCLcB/s320/IMG_2040.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Karen's finished product!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5LtzLbPabhI/V9XaYwR2KMI/AAAAAAAADNc/6yShg4ivao0KTHGuaYkKpKMtHADALPA6gCLcB/s1600/IMG_2043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5LtzLbPabhI/V9XaYwR2KMI/AAAAAAAADNc/6yShg4ivao0KTHGuaYkKpKMtHADALPA6gCLcB/s320/IMG_2043.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Can you tell what we've been reading this month??</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jLL68fnKq_c/V9XacwUXqPI/AAAAAAAADNk/ThcvzL6FI3Up09iVcETdVM_HK8o95C3uQCLcB/s1600/IMG_2044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jLL68fnKq_c/V9XacwUXqPI/AAAAAAAADNk/ThcvzL6FI3Up09iVcETdVM_HK8o95C3uQCLcB/s320/IMG_2044.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-slwUFPFOw-8/V9XahZok9mI/AAAAAAAADNs/fIdqmethI5kCIN7-uK2lJzUhiNo4dqGTwCLcB/s1600/IMG_2046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-slwUFPFOw-8/V9XahZok9mI/AAAAAAAADNs/fIdqmethI5kCIN7-uK2lJzUhiNo4dqGTwCLcB/s320/IMG_2046.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Levi is really into King Arthur!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gCHpzqmqdS0/V9XahMC3C-I/AAAAAAAADNo/xe-TiK6vw-sraEjlFWBw7OagXaZJdER0gCLcB/s1600/IMG_2058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gCHpzqmqdS0/V9XahMC3C-I/AAAAAAAADNo/xe-TiK6vw-sraEjlFWBw7OagXaZJdER0gCLcB/s320/IMG_2058.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Luke picked up an old projector at a bargain sale and wanted to take it apart... until he realized it actually worked. :)&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UqOjIMNAAIY/V9XaipRw3hI/AAAAAAAADNw/0b8WgzHIGYgvRDGLNQAE57T8Gp_HuNkPwCLcB/s1600/IMG_2074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UqOjIMNAAIY/V9XaipRw3hI/AAAAAAAADNw/0b8WgzHIGYgvRDGLNQAE57T8Gp_HuNkPwCLcB/s320/IMG_2074.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This spider built a web in our backyard and caught a cicada (I think!) in it, and it was amazing to see!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VEV0RMPfk-Y/V9XapF0I_VI/AAAAAAAADN4/fZDIAxkhfEkyLd-xH6_ldyq4dfMGqLLlACLcB/s1600/IMG_2089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VEV0RMPfk-Y/V9XapF0I_VI/AAAAAAAADN4/fZDIAxkhfEkyLd-xH6_ldyq4dfMGqLLlACLcB/s320/IMG_2089.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nature walks with friends!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N4AzOV7lyJs/V9XasvVbcuI/AAAAAAAADN8/RtqKxZBFxTIj0Vue8jt1ud_XEraz4GKtACLcB/s1600/IMG_2095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N4AzOV7lyJs/V9XasvVbcuI/AAAAAAAADN8/RtqKxZBFxTIj0Vue8jt1ud_XEraz4GKtACLcB/s320/IMG_2095.JPG" width="240" /></a>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Byzantine stained glass project. This is the example I made to show the class.&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e4HlU77Dxpg/V9XaofN2DaI/AAAAAAAADN0/-f7s4SaJsCAqLPZyWs6qRd2G27KqYeYvQCLcB/s1600/IMG_2099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e4HlU77Dxpg/V9XaofN2DaI/AAAAAAAADN0/-f7s4SaJsCAqLPZyWs6qRd2G27KqYeYvQCLcB/s320/IMG_2099.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They took it really seriously and al did a great job!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vUgnhIUqS6k/V9XaubWGwlI/AAAAAAAADOA/ELOrrLyGuuU0PkC40xho6IBt-tQNwZvdQCLcB/s1600/IMG_2100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vUgnhIUqS6k/V9XaubWGwlI/AAAAAAAADOA/ELOrrLyGuuU0PkC40xho6IBt-tQNwZvdQCLcB/s320/IMG_2100.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Their finished projects displayed in the door!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xY_UH5pif1Q/V9XavPJVpFI/AAAAAAAADOE/ktoKOQHyB3E6m-U_Dd4qoXmFQ7Q-Q8FWwCLcB/s1600/IMG_2102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xY_UH5pif1Q/V9XavPJVpFI/AAAAAAAADOE/ktoKOQHyB3E6m-U_Dd4qoXmFQ7Q-Q8FWwCLcB/s320/IMG_2102.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Luke's Lego rendition of a scene from King Arthur.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--RyVJgvqLic/V9XawxwHFFI/AAAAAAAADOI/1AubnVWhPisfqvSuDxJBx6Fpjw-YgyzEQCLcB/s1600/IMG_2120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--RyVJgvqLic/V9XawxwHFFI/AAAAAAAADOI/1AubnVWhPisfqvSuDxJBx6Fpjw-YgyzEQCLcB/s320/IMG_2120.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is Levi practicing addition and subtraction by building 20-step staircase and having his Luke Skywalker Lego figure hop up and down the stairs. Whatever works! :)&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541722811479993606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157131868938967651.post-45815711006519016692016-08-23T09:45:00.002-05:002017-08-03T11:50:26.717-05:00Music of the Hemispheres<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">In my search for a delightful, rigorous grammar program, over the last two years, I kept coming back to look at Michael Clay Thompson's language arts. &nbsp;This year, I finally spent the time to figure out how the program worked, and decided to give it a try. I didn't want to buy the whole program, first because it's expensive as a whole program. Secondly, I'm very happy with our writing and Latin programs, and didn't want to switch over. But I did feel that his grammar and poetics books could work for us, even apart from the whole program.<br /><br />So I bought Grammar Town and Music of the Hemispheres, the poetics book. I did not know what to expect, but thought, it can't hurt to give it a try.<br /><br />We've been reading it aloud together for a week and a half now, and can I tell you, I have learned so much about poetry! &nbsp;I had no idea that poets were such artists not just with the meanings of words, but with the sounds an using sounds to evoke feeling. &nbsp;In the first third of this book, we have really come to understand end rhyme, internal rhyme, eye rhyme, and alliteration and more. <br /><br />Today, at the end of the reading, the book issued a challenge: write a short poem using words and sounds that make you think of a specific sound or place. &nbsp;We have NEVER attempted to write poetry before, I had no idea where to start or what to do. But this seemed like something we could do. &nbsp;So here was what we all came up with. I share mine hesitantly, only to show that I am trying to learn alongside the kids and set an example of trying my best. &nbsp;But it's terrible, really. :) &nbsp;I am no poet, ha!<br /><br />Mine:<br /><br />The sharp knife swished through the produce<br />Crunched as it chopped it to bits<br />Hoping to create a crispy, delicious dish<br />That could strengthen the body and give tastebuds fits!<br /><br />Luke's:<br /><br />The Forest<br />Who is that rustling the bushes<br />Who is that chirping in the trees;<br />Listen to the silent swinging in the canopy<br />Oh, how I would love to go to the forest, you see.<br /><br />Kiryn's:<br /><br />Horses<br />As I walk through stables of horses I stare<br />At beasts wild and mighty<br />They are furry, shaggy and covered with hair<br />But the creatures are rather friendly<br /><br />For first attempts at poems, I think these are so delightful! :) I'm really pleased with what we're learning from Music of the Hemispheres!<br /><br /></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541722811479993606noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157131868938967651.post-54447073010013971162016-08-17T14:24:00.002-05:002017-08-03T11:50:37.060-05:00Astronomy: awakening our wonder<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Last year we began working our way through the Memoria Press nature study series. &nbsp;We had spent a lot of time on mammals already, so we jumped into insects last year. We chose to dive into astronomy this year, because we are studying the middle ages, and historically they correlate well.<br /><br />I love the Memoria Press guides, they provide a great backbone of factual scientific knowledge to learn. But I also want to awaken a sense of wonder in the kids, so I always look for other resources to pull in to do that. &nbsp;In researching resources for astronomy, I found a book from long ago called Storyland of the Stars, free for download.<br /><br />We began reading it this week, and today, we read about the "music of the spheres," a theory by Pythagoras that was correct, but that he could not prove. &nbsp;(Not coincidentally, we began reading "The Music of the Hemispheres" by Michael Clay Thompson to learn about sounds in words and poetry this week too!)<br /><br />As we read how he thought the stars and planets actually made sounds in the universe, it reminded me of a video I had seen of Louie Giglio years ago. &nbsp;So I googled it and pulled it up. &nbsp;We spent twenty minutes listening to the actual sounds planets make, stars make, and Louie's mashup of stars and whales singing together! Here's the links:<br /><br />Louie's mashup<br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zWKm-LZWm4">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zWKm-LZWm4</a><br /><br />The Music of the Spheres: sounds of the planets:<br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obgeTFvdVqI">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obgeTFvdVqI</a><br /><br />Talk about awakening wonder! &nbsp;All the kids now want to go to outer space and to listen to the stars all day. &nbsp;This was a great way to start off our study: by realizing that all the stars we will learn about this year actually make noises of praise to their Creator, he set them in place, and enjoys their worship twenty-four-seven. <br /><br /><br /></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541722811479993606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157131868938967651.post-38899015192111040392016-08-09T22:54:00.000-05:002017-08-03T11:50:57.736-05:00Memory Work Tips<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Okay, really just one tip. :)<br /><br />This.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nzj1Ohj2DVA/V6qe7ap21yI/AAAAAAAADLU/AjxTEHZFxlESgqH-_L4wA1ESbIZ2En40QCLcB/s1600/IMG_1853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nzj1Ohj2DVA/V6qe7ap21yI/AAAAAAAADLU/AjxTEHZFxlESgqH-_L4wA1ESbIZ2En40QCLcB/s640/IMG_1853.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I randomly happened upon this book on Rainbow Resource earlier this summer. I'd never heard of it, but was intrigued by the title. I did a little googling and looking at Amazon to see if I could see inside or read any reviews. &nbsp;There was very little out there. And even though it was $32.95, I decided to take a chance on this, not knowing much about it, because it looked so interesting.&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qMFfaQfEUQY/V6qe8eUML1I/AAAAAAAADLY/kdipiXK6X2gW1Eq00f3PA6lyUuwDQeUzgCLcB/s1600/IMG_1854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qMFfaQfEUQY/V6qe8eUML1I/AAAAAAAADLY/kdipiXK6X2gW1Eq00f3PA6lyUuwDQeUzgCLcB/s640/IMG_1854.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is a total hidden treasure! &nbsp;This book lays out suggestions for memory work in the above categories: Latin, Greek, Math, Grammar &amp; Composition, Literature, Religion, Geography, World History, United States &amp; Civics, Natural Sciences, as well as a guide to how and why to memorize things.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Last year, I spent hours scrolling through blogs and suggested memory, wondering what was worth memorizing and what wasn't, how to choose. I was never taught to memorize anything besides a few Bible verses, so this is all totally new to me. It took me weeks to sift through all the suggestions and decide last summer.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This book did it all for me this year! &nbsp;I decided what categories we wanted to focus on, flipped through the chapter, chose how many selections I needed, and then typed them into my formate to print straight out of the book. &nbsp;It's not just a list. Campbell provides the actual text of each poem, hymn, literature selection recommended. &nbsp;I only spent one morning while my kids were at VBS planning out and printing our memory work for the entire year!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In addition to being just about anything and everything you might ever want to memorize, it's also a GREAT reference book. &nbsp;It has lists of historical info, like the Roman emperors in order with dates, all Latin declensions in charts, traditional prayers and creeds from church history, mathematics tables an charts full of formulas, and so much more. &nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, get this book! :)&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Here's some other pictures from inside: (I have tried about fourteen times and cannot get the pictures to rotate to the right direction...)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m3qCQygC6fU/V6qkvucUiPI/AAAAAAAADMY/rz5gVDkBbrEc5_181p2R8QxZSAtqa5eXACLcB/s1600/IMG_1855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m3qCQygC6fU/V6qkvucUiPI/AAAAAAAADMY/rz5gVDkBbrEc5_181p2R8QxZSAtqa5eXACLcB/s640/IMG_1855.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jEKd86PMAeI/V6qkvOh--nI/AAAAAAAADMQ/DhLq53OuFCYA2vFnAeVHuyFx1d-FHLj5ACLcB/s1600/IMG_1856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jEKd86PMAeI/V6qkvOh--nI/AAAAAAAADMQ/DhLq53OuFCYA2vFnAeVHuyFx1d-FHLj5ACLcB/s640/IMG_1856.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W7dmyaMqCLo/V6qkvJ9ef1I/AAAAAAAADMU/nnOP1G-ncYIrC5hdP4Yu0qG6a8pkzKPRwCLcB/s1600/IMG_1857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W7dmyaMqCLo/V6qkvJ9ef1I/AAAAAAAADMU/nnOP1G-ncYIrC5hdP4Yu0qG6a8pkzKPRwCLcB/s640/IMG_1857.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541722811479993606noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157131868938967651.post-81853038644916724952016-07-30T08:16:00.001-05:002016-07-30T08:42:50.466-05:002016-17 Preedy Academy Curriculum Picks!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Better late than never?<br /><br />I've had a lot of mental gymnastics to figure out how this year is going to work. I've got FOUR students this year for the first time. &nbsp;Yep, Meryn is beginning Kindergarten!!! AAAAA!!! :)<br /><br />So, after much contemplation, here's my plan. &nbsp;We're going to have five blocks to our day:<br />-Morning Time<br />-Math<br />-Language<br />-Science<br />-Humanities<br /><br />We'll stat each day with Morning Time, and move on to Math. &nbsp;Everyone will be doing math for a set amount of time. &nbsp;Same for the other blocks: all doing their own assignments within that subject, mom starting with youngest for instruction and moving up by age. &nbsp;The older kids will have some independent work to do while they wait on me for any teaching we have for that day. <br /><br />There are three possible outcomes for each block:<br /><br />-You work diligently, and complete your work. &nbsp;In this case, there is a box of games to play until the next block starts, or books to read, or things to draw, etc.)<br />-You work diligently and don't finish your work. In this case, we put it away until tomorrow and pick up where we left off.<br />-You don't work diligently, and don't finish your work. &nbsp;In this case, you will get your work back out after "school time", and complete it.<br /><br />I have high hopes this will work to keep everyone busy and on task. &nbsp;I have invested a good bit in educational games for math, history, astronomy, and language that are ONLY for school time. <br /><br />So, here is what we'll be tackling in each of our blocks this year:<br /><br />MORNING TIME: (everyone will listen, but most of this is expected from the Upper Grammar kids only)<br />-Westminster Shorter Catechism, last 36 questions, with devotions from Training Hearts, Teaching Minds<br />-Reading Psalms, Proverbs, Matthew<br />-Twelfth Night from Shakespeare<br />-Music of the Hemispheres by Michael Clay Thompson<br />-Simply Charlotte Mason Picture Study Portfolios (Botticelli, Rembrandt)<br />-SQUILT for music appreciation and composer study<br />-Memory Binders: Shakespeare monologues, Psalm 139 and a couple other passages, three hymns, traditional prayers and liturgical readings, and poetry selections<br />(I have another post coming on how I chose Memory Work this year!)<br /><br />LANGUAGE:<br />Upper Grammar:<br />-Latin for Children Primer B<br />-Writing &amp; Rhetoric Books 4-5<br />-Reasoning &amp; Reading book 1 (only half, we'll spread this out over two years)<br />-All About Spelling Level 6 (only half, also will spread this out over two years)<br />-Grammar Town and Grammar Voyage (MCT Language Arts)<br />-New American Cursive Book 3<br />(NOTE!: We will not be doing all of this everyday. We will have 3 elements of LA everyday: Latin, Writing, and the others on a loop or by term)<br /><br />1st grader:<br />-All About Spelling Level 1<br />-Copy work for handwriting<br />-Veritas Press Readers<br />-Christian Liberty Nature readers<br />-Narration practice<br />-Song School Latin 1<br />-Ambleside Online read aloud selections<br />(Again, not all of this everyday)<br /><br />KG:<br />-All About Reading Level 1 (phonics)<br />-Handwriting Without Tears Book 1<br />-Read Alouds from AO Year 0<br /><br />MATH:<br />-MUS (Zeta, Epsilon, Beta, Primer/Alpha)<br />-Select MEP Pages for puzzle and play with math from Year 4/Year 1<br /><br />SCIENCE:<br />Upper Grammar:<br />-Berean Builders for Historical Science Science in the Ancient World/Science in the Age of Reason, one lesson per week<br />-Memoria Press Book of Astronomy: supplemented with Storyland of the Stars, Find the Constellations as read alouds and lots of star gazing.<br />-Elementary Geography as a read aloud<br />-Memoria Press Geography II<br />(AGAIN: Not doing all of this everyday. Rotating in and out.)<br /><br />Lower grammar:<br />-Exploration Earth Animal supplement (copywork, animal study and classification)<br />-Burgess Animal Book of Nature Lore<br />-Working on continents<br /><br />HUMANITIES:<br />-Tapestry of Grace Year 2: Upper Grammar level for older two kids, Lower Grammar read aloud only for little kids<br />-AO Year 4 independent reads for Upper Grammar kids<br />-L: He will begin cello in the public school orchestra, and piano lessons<br />-K: She will continue with violin at home and piano lessons<br /><br />We're not changing much from last year. &nbsp;Last year, as I said in my review posts, was the first year I finished the year feeling filled up, rather than totally drained. So we're going to just keep walking the path we did last year, extending the view a bit further out this year. The kids also really excelled last year. &nbsp;They progressed a lot in their knowledge and skills, and we weren't strapped to school all the time to do it. And we greatly increased our reading aloud last year, which they all LOVE!<br /><br />The one major change I'm making is to try yet one more grammar program. :) I think, if I remember correctly, we've used:<br />-First Language Lessons/Writing With Ease<br />-Shurley Grammar<br />-Harvey's Grammar<br />-Memoria Press Grammar<br /><br />I may be a stickler, but I really just want every area of knowledge we are learning to be delightful. &nbsp;Grammar just never is. :) &nbsp;But, Michael Clay Thompson's grammar program looks really interesting, engaging, and possibly even delightful! :) &nbsp;I love the layout of the books that we will read together. And we are going to try out first ever school subject on the iPad with his Practice Books for Grammar Town and Grammar Voyage in iBooks. &nbsp;I mean, if labeling the four level analysis of sentences *could* be fun, it would be dragging and dropping labels on the iPad, right? :) &nbsp;We're gonna give it a go... and hope it works and sticks. Then I won't have to think about anything but science and Morning Time next year.<br /><br />I'm praying for a year of great growth in all my kids, for a deepening in the knowledge of God, of Man, of the Universe, and their role in it and relationship to each of these!<br /><br />(PS: Sorry I did not link this all up to the programs I mentioned. I am pressed for time. I trust you all can google them for yourselves.) :) Blessings!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541722811479993606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157131868938967651.post-71775852656732906262016-05-02T17:21:00.000-05:002016-05-02T17:21:31.868-05:00Curriculum Reviews: 2015-16 <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's that time of year again! We have just four short weeks of school left and all thoughts are turned toward next year, what's worked, what hasn't, what to change, what to keep.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">From my post last year, this is what my plan was. &nbsp;I'll go through it line by line:&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="color: #333333;"><u>Language</u></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">:</span><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">-&nbsp;</span><a href="http://classicalacademicpress.com/writing-rhetoric-school-or-homeschool-writing-curriculum/" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;">Writing and Rhetoric</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">: Book 2, Narrative and Book 3, Narrative II. &nbsp;Yes. &nbsp;This. &nbsp;These books are excellent. &nbsp;I have been teaching Book 3 in a class setting, and its so much fun to see what each student comes up with for sentence play, rewrites, and just in talking about the stories. &nbsp;These books are based on the progymnasmata method of writing instruction, and so they introduce students to great writing and stories to fill their minds with good examples to draw on. &nbsp;Books 1-2 were very gentle introductions, and Book 3 ramps up the challenge quite a bit. &nbsp;It focuses mostly on stories from the Roman Republic and Roman Empire, and the kids have learned a lot about story parts, outlining, using interesting words and more. I'm confidently sticking with this series next year.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br style="color: #333333;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">-</span><a href="http://classicalacademicpress.com/latin-for-children-primer-a-program-1/" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;">Latin for Children Primer A</a>: This was super challenging for us this year, and wonderful all around. Now that we are finished with our first full year of Latin, I see so many benefits to this being a star of our language arts. &nbsp;It is so easy to see and understand grammar in action in Latin, and the kids are learning to guess what a word means, because they know the Latin root parts of the word. &nbsp;Like "exclamatory." Because of Latin for Children, we know that ex- is a preposition meaning out, and "clamat" means he/she/it shouts. &nbsp;Exclamatory=to shout out. Exclamatory sentences express sudden or strong emotion. &nbsp;This was just a connection we made while studying grammar, not something outlined in Latin, and I love Latin because of this. There were countless connections the kids made across other subjects (science, history, Shakespeare and more). Latin for Children also makes it challenging and fun. &nbsp;The video series is great, and having headventureland.com to practice vocabulary games online &nbsp;is another huge perk. &nbsp;It's a really delightful, alive program, in keeping with all Classical Academic Press products. &nbsp;Again, confidently moving on to Latin Primer B next year!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">-</span><a href="http://allaboutlearningpress.net/go.php?id=991" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;">All About Spelling Level 5</a>: We finished this, and still love All About Spelling. I toyed around with just not doing level 6 and dropping spelling from our rotation, but I really want good spellers, and Level 6 deals with lots of exceptions to rules, so we're going to work through it.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">-</span><a href="http://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/penmanship/new-american-cursive" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;">New American Cursive 2 &amp; 3</a>: I love these books. They are self-teaching (I don't do anything but require 2-4 pages a week). &nbsp;This makes it easy on me, and gives the kids easy practice with their cursive while writing quotes of the founding fathers, poetry, Bible verses, and more.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">-</span><a href="http://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/writing-and-english-grammar/english-grammar-recitation-workbook-one" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;">English Grammar Recitations</a>: &nbsp;So I've tried lots of different grammar programs. &nbsp;Lots. &nbsp;Hmm... let's see. &nbsp;First Language Lessons, Shurley Grammar, Classical Writing's Grammar, Harvey's Grammar, taken a peek at Rod &amp; Staff, and now English Grammar Recitations from Memoria Press. &nbsp;This is by far my favorite. &nbsp;It is to the point and gets the job done. I'm impressed with what the kids have been able to learn and retain this year, including the definitions of concrete and abstract nouns, physical and mental action verbs, helping verbs, &nbsp;and lots more. &nbsp;The trouble is, they've just memorized those things, and practice applying them on about ten sentences. &nbsp;I'm not sure they really understand the ideas. I'm also not sure they really enjoy and delight in this part of their learning. &nbsp;And I want them to delight in language, how it works, its rules, and how to use it effectively themselves. &nbsp;I would stick with this program through its four books if I wasn't convinced that I want EVERY subject we study to be filled with delight and deep understanding. &nbsp;I have one more program I want to try next year, and if it doesn't maintain the rigor while also being delightful, we'll come back to this series.&nbsp;<br style="color: #333333;" /><br style="color: #333333;" /><b style="color: #333333;"><u>Logic:</u></b><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">-</span><a href="http://store.mathusee.com/catalog/math-u-see/" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;">Math-U-See Epsilon &amp; Delta</a>: Both kids did really well with math this year. &nbsp;MUS is really clicking with them and we are going to continue with it. &nbsp;Luke will be in Zeta next year, their last book before pre-algebra. Um, what?? &nbsp;Yep. &nbsp;Levi LOVES Mr. Steve and math, so no complaints here. &nbsp;We did mid-year decide to finally try the Life of Fred books. I got the first four elementary books, and realized I had the Fractions and Decimals as hand me downs that I'd just stuck on a shelf. &nbsp;I pulled out Fractions for Luke, because Epsilon is fractions, and he's been working through it slowly and will get through the rest this summer. Levi loves to read Fred and we made it through Apples and some of Butterflies. &nbsp;I think these books are fun and engaging, delightful ways to play with math. But personally, for me, I don't think they are complete on their own. I do think Life of Fred and Math-U-See work beautifully together. :) &nbsp;So I plan to get a few more of them and use them in summers and as &nbsp;read alouds. &nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333;">-Piano Lessons from Grammy: Levi started piano this year too and all the kids are loving it and doing a wonderful job! &nbsp;Kiryn also got a&nbsp;violin for her birthday in January and has been practicing her technique with the first Suzuki book.&nbsp;</span></span><br style="color: #333333;" /><br style="color: #333333;" /><b style="color: #333333;"><u>Knowledge:</u></b><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">-Bible</span><b style="color: #333333; text-decoration: underline;">:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">&nbsp;We'll be doing Community Bible Study this year, and so using their materials at home through the week. &nbsp;We'll also continue with the&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Westminster-Shorter-Catechism-Songs-Vol/dp/B00320J86C" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;">Westminster Catechism Songs</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">, and&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Training-Hearts-Teaching-Minds-Devotions/dp/0875523927/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1432148529&amp;sr=1-1-catcorr&amp;keywords=training+Hearts%2C+Teaching+minds" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;">Training Hearts, Teaching Minds</a>:&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We really enjoyed our time with CBS this year. &nbsp;I think we all grew a lot, and it was great for the kids to be in a full-morning program with kids their own ages and teaches. &nbsp;We plan to attend CBS again next year! &nbsp;We ended up not continuing to learn the catechism just for lack of time, but I hope to pick it up back up this coming year.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">-Science:&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.bereanbuilders.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&amp;key=SIASET" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;">Science in the Ancient World</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">, with Memoria Press&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/science/book-insects" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;">Insect Nature Study</a>: &nbsp;This year is the first year I feel like our scientific studies mattered. &nbsp;In the past when we were doing topical science, and while the topics might have created a momentary wonder, there was no depth of knowledge or real sticking of the information that I felt at the end of the year had grown the kids in any way. &nbsp;They hadn't truly learned anything, known anything, grown to love anything through science. So it was basically a waste of our time. &nbsp;This is why I decided to finally give nature study a try. &nbsp;We have LOVED the Memoria Press insect study. &nbsp;We worked on this about three days a week, memorizing the facts of the orders of insects, their characteristics, what their names mean, reading about their metamorphosis and habitats and diets, answering some comprehension questions, and spending time studying their physical appearances and sketching them. &nbsp;What I found with this was that the kids really grew to know these insects. &nbsp;They knew where to look for them when outside, they knew what stage of metamorphosis they were in when they found them, they knew what to call them, they knew how to describe them, and they wondered at God's handiwork as a result. &nbsp;Very quickly this year I realized, this is knowledge they will keep with them always: intimate knowledge of one small element of God's creation, that will lead them to be curious about other elements. &nbsp;I'm sold on nature study. &nbsp;: ) We will continue next year with a reptile study that we are putting together on our own (based on the ideas and pattern we learned in the Memoria Press study this year, only because Memoria does not have a reptile study!) and we will be learning the constellations with an in-depth study of astronomy with Memoria Press materials. &nbsp;As for Science in the Ancient World, I also LOVE this! &nbsp;We did a short lesson once a week, usually on Fridays, exploring different scientists who lived in history. &nbsp;We got to know who they were, where they lived, what questions they asked and why. We studied what they got right, what they got wrong, performed experiments like they did, and saw how one person's findings led to another, how they built on each other. &nbsp;We made it from Thales to Archimedes this year, and will continue with this series until we make it to modern times. I think this is really valuable for them to study scientific figures and know their thoughts and writings. I'm learning a TON! :)&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">-</span><a href="http://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/american-and-modern-studies/geography-i" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;">Geography I</a>: We enjoyed this study. It gave us some more structure to our geography studies. &nbsp;I like that they learn the flags of each country, and a very basic history of each place, by continent and region, while they're also learning landforms, rivers, and capital cities of each country. &nbsp;We will continue with Geography II next year. This is pretty much self-taught, just pace it out over the weeks to complete the book. It could be easily amplified to produce a richer study, but my main goal with this is for the kids to know where things&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">are</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">&nbsp;in the world and be able to know context when reading about different places in the world through history and literature.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">-</span><a href="https://www.lampstandbookshelf.com/ZC/index.php?main_page=index&amp;cPath=6_26" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;">Tapestry of Grace Year 1</a><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333;">: Blend of Upper Grammar and Lower Grammar work, studying the Ancient World: We are just four weeks away from wrapping up our study of the Ancient World for the second time! &nbsp;I can't tell you how much we've enjoyed this year, mainly because we've had a co-op of families working through Tapestry and growing together. We&nbsp;have met every other week all year to tackle fun projects and keep the story of history going. &nbsp;One thing I changed this year in how we do TOG is that I opted to have a narrative history spine that we read aloud from everyday all year long. &nbsp;I love the TOG books, but almost every year at some point, I loose the thread of the story. &nbsp;The topic based learning is good, I love diving into details about ancient Egypt, how pyramids were built, the movement of the Israelites, Greek scientists and mythology, and daily life in the Roman Empire. &nbsp;But&nbsp;somewhere in all that, I usually end up loosing the story of how one things connects to and leads to another. This is the time I want my kids to be internalizing the story of history, so that when we come back to this in early high school, we'll have the story down, and we can spend more time digging into the details. I don't want to miss the forest for the trees. &nbsp;So I chose the following spine to read aloud from daily for this year:&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-A Child's Story Bible (Bible and history of Israel)</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Peeps at Many Lands (Egypt)</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Our Young Folks Josephus (Israel and inter-testamental period, relating to Greeks and Persians. &nbsp;Fascinating stories in Josephus that I wish I'd read long ago.)</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-The Story of the Greeks</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-D'Aulaire's Greek Myths (we spent about 8 weeks with this book)</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-The Story of the Romans</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Most of these are available free on iBooks, Kindle or&nbsp;mainlesson.com. &nbsp;This worked wonderfully for us. &nbsp;We still had&nbsp;the TOG books on hand each week, and used them to dive into topics of interest to each child. But it was there more for interests' sake, not as the main dish. &nbsp;One other thing we did was practice reciting the story in our own words once a week up to the point we'd gotten to in history. &nbsp;I decided early on this year that if at the end of this year, my kids can tell me the story of the ancient world including some specific places, names of major figures, and a handful of dates, in their own words, I will be so pleased with&nbsp;this&nbsp;year. I'm not talking about reciting memorized sentences or paragraphs. I'm talking about telling a story based on what they've put into their minds and hearts. &nbsp;And so far, we're doing well, but have a ways to go in the&nbsp;next four weeks. :) I definitely plan to do this again next year, probably with more of the H.A.&nbsp;Guerber "The&nbsp;Story of..." series.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Additional Enrichment:</span><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">-</span><a href="http://amblesideonline.org/04bks.shtml" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;">Ambleside Online</a><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333;">&nbsp;Literature selections for Read-Alouds from Years 4 and 5: I ended up&nbsp;going back to the beginning of the AO literature recommendations instead of jumping into Year 4. &nbsp;So this year we made it through The Blue Fairy Book, Elementary Geography, The Princess and the Goblin, Just So Stories, Farmer Boy, and&nbsp;Little House on the Prairie, in addition to some historical read&nbsp;aloud with Tapestry. I'm pleased with what we accomplished in reading aloud this year! &nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br style="color: #333333;" /></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333;">-Ambleside Online Free Reading selections for both kids. They are expected to always be reading a book for fun, but it has to be quality. :) I can't possibly begin to give an exhaustive list of&nbsp;what each of the kids read this year, but I know it includes Pinnochio, Heidi, Peter Pan, the entire Narnia&nbsp;series, Island of the Blue Dolphins, Five Children and It, The Book of Three (first Chronicles of Prydain), and more. &nbsp;:) This type of book was&nbsp;the standard, and Kiryn has earned three ice creams, which means she's read 18 books (she did read at least five Nancy Drew books, too), and Luke is at about 16, I think. :)&nbsp;</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br style="color: #333333;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">-Draw and Write through History:&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Write-Through-History-Creation-through/dp/0977859703/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1432148102&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=Draw+and+Write+through+History" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;">Creation through Jonah</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">, and&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Draw-Write-Through-History-Greece/dp/0977859711/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1432148102&amp;sr=8-3&amp;keywords=Draw+and+Write+through+History" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;">Greece and Rome</a>: This was a good thing to give the kids one or two days a week to keep their hands busy while reading aloud history lessons. &nbsp;And we produced some beautiful drawings from it! &nbsp;I already have the next books historically in my cart at Rainbow for next year. :)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">-Ken Ludwig's&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/How-Teach-Your-Children-Shakespeare/dp/0307951502/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1432148175&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=Ken+Ludwig" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;">How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare</a><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333;">, along with some Ambleside Online Shakespeare titles: I cannot praise this book enough. &nbsp;It has helped me so so much in introducing my kids to Shakespeare&nbsp;this&nbsp;</span></span><span style="color: #333333;">year. &nbsp;Without it, I would have been reading plays aloud and we'd have all been lost. &nbsp;Ludwig offers context and background for vocabulary, understanding cultural references, and points out the beauty and cleverness in certain turns of phrases, alliteration and more that would have been lost on me otherwise. &nbsp;He also walks through one play slowly and suggests specific&nbsp;things to teach the kids and passages to memorize. &nbsp;So this year, we spent the first semester on A Midsummer Night's Dream, and the second on Twelfth Night. &nbsp;We began by reading the sections in Ludwig on the play, and reading several story versions of the play, to get&nbsp;the flow of the story and plot. &nbsp;Meanwhile, we were memorizing 3-4 passages from the play. &nbsp;Once I felt like we had the story down, we watched a dramatization, usually something short and animated online, like <a href="https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x272crc_shakespeare-the-animated-tales-01x01-a-midsummer-night-s-dream-eng-subs_shortfilms">this one</a>. &nbsp;Then, I read the play aloud over several weeks. &nbsp;We'd wrap up the study with watching a live action dramatization on film, if we could find one appropriate. :) The kids blew me away with their ability to appreciate humor and sarcasm in Shakespeare once they weren't trying hard to understand the plot. &nbsp;And I found that I love Shakespeare, much to my surprise. &nbsp;I never enjoyed it in high school, and now I think I know why. I was struggling too much to keep up with&nbsp;the plot to appreciate the language, and the unfamiliarity with the language made the plot hard to hold on to. &nbsp;I'm thankful that my kids will learn to love Shakespeare from a young age and will be exposed to his writing for years and be familiar with him all their lives. :) (And me too, now!) There's also a lot of great ideas and resources on <a href="http://simplehomeschool.net/hooked-on-shakespeare/">this post</a> at Simple Homeschool, many of which we've done as well just for fun!</span><br style="color: #333333;" /><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">For my KG/1st Grader:</span><br style="color: #333333;" /><a href="http://allaboutlearningpress.net/go.php?id=991" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;">-All About Reading Level 1</a><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">-</span><a href="http://store.mathusee.com/catalog/math-u-see/" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;">Math-U-See Alpha</a><br style="color: #333333;" /><a href="http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/007472" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;">-Handwriting Without Tears, second book</a><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">-</span><a href="https://www.lampstandbookshelf.com/ZC/index.php?main_page=index&amp;cPath=6_26" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;">Tapestry of Grace Year 1</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">: basic Lower Grammar history books for fun, and&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.tapestryofgrace.com/game/" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;">The Big Story Game</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">&nbsp;and&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.lampstandbookshelf.com/ZC/index.php?main_page=product_info&amp;cPath=98_136&amp;products_id=703" style="color: #6699cc; text-decoration: none;">Primer Activity Book</a><br style="color: #333333;" /><br />So Levi's KG/1st grade year. &nbsp;He's kind of all over the place. &nbsp;He would have gone to KG this year by his age. &nbsp;He's completed 1st grade phonics (All About Reading 1), and is already showing a mastery of the phonics rules learning in Level 2, so we're just not going to bother with ongoing phonics next year and move right into spelling. (This is what I did with the older two kids as well and it's been totally fine! Spelling is the flip side of the phonics coin, so there's no gaps in doing this.) &nbsp;He's two-thirds of the way through his first grade math book, and almost done with a first grade handwriting book. &nbsp;We've read all of Aesop's Fables (Milo Winter version), The Real Mother Goose, three Burgess Animal books, Life of Fred Apples and Butterflies, and more. Levi has also read to me half of the Veritas Press readers and a few history readers (Pompeii!), the Little Bear series, and lots of Dr. Seuss. He loves reading! I was a lot more laid back with Levi in his first formal year of school than I was with the older two. &nbsp;There were weeks where he didn't want to have anything to do with handwriting, and all he wanted to do was math. And he'd blow through a lot of math in those weeks and love it. &nbsp;But suddenly, he wouldn't want to do any more math, and all he'd want was to write. &nbsp;Copywork, write sentences from dictation, write the family members' names, anything and everything. &nbsp;And his handwriting would grow by leaps and bounds in those weeks. I came to see them as learning growth spurts. &nbsp;I didn't force him to do something he didn't want to do, as long as he was learning and practicing a skill and loving it. &nbsp;And that has worked wonderfully for him this year. :) &nbsp;I'm really pleased with where he's at. &nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So there you have it! Another year in the books. I feel like this year, with the possible exception of grammar, we have found a delightful way to accomplish our learning and educational goals and are on a path that everyone is thriving in. &nbsp;I'm growing as a teacher, learning so much myself, being excited and inspired by what I'm reading and talking about with other moms. I'm thankful for this year, thankful that we're not ending it spent, but feeling filled up with wonder and beauty, and eager to begin again in the fall. &nbsp;To God be the Glory!</span></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541722811479993606noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157131868938967651.post-62914278831562841452016-01-14T22:56:00.002-06:002016-01-14T23:09:58.842-06:00My Favorite Resources on Classical Education<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Recently I was blessed to talk to a group of homeschool moms about classical education. It was a huge undertaking for me to condense the last few years of study into a short time. &nbsp;There have been so so many wonderful blogs, books, lectures that have poured into my heart, and I felt like it would be really helpful for myself and maybe others to make a list of resources that I want to return to again and again to continue shaping me as a homeschooling mother, and even as a person and disciple of Christ. If you've heard me talk about classical education, and you start reading and listening to these resources, you'll realize I'm just repeating these great thinkers and writers. :)<br /><br />So here goes! :)<br /><br />Books:<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Liberal-Arts-Tradition-Philosophy-Christian/dp/1600512259/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1452832532&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=The+Liberal+Arts+Tradition">The Liberal Arts Tradition</a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Childrens-Sake-Foundations-Education-School/dp/1433506955/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1452832558&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=For+the+Children%27s+Sake">For the Children's Sake</a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Trivium-Mastery-Intersection-Authentic-Classical/dp/1432733281/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1452832932&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=Trivium+Mastery">Trivium Mastery</a><br /><a href="http://afterthoughtsblog.net/charlotte-mason-guides">Start Here by Brandy Vencel</a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Teaching-Rest-Homeschoolers-Guide-Unshakable/dp/1600512879/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1452833159&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=Teaching+from+Rest">Teaching From Rest by Sarah Mackenzie</a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/How-Teach-Your-Children-Shakespeare/dp/0307951502/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1452833548&amp;sr=8-1-spell&amp;keywords=How+to+Teach+your+ChildrenShakespeare">How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare</a><br /><br />Around the internet:<br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wi9UBSIu10M">Perrin's Eight Essential Principles of Classical Pedagogy</a>&nbsp;(Video lecture)<br /><a href="https://www.circeinstitute.org/audio">Kern's A Contemplation of Nature</a>&nbsp;(Audio lecture)<br /><br /><a href="http://expandingwisdom.com/teaching/#sthash.OiibABje.dpbs">A Guide to Teaching Classically by Jennifer Dow</a>&nbsp;(Blog series/ebook)<br /><a href="http://www.simplyconvivial.com/2014/classical-education-principles">Why are Classical Education Principles Important? (Simply Convivial)</a><br /><a href="https://www.circeinstitute.org/audio">CiRCE Audio Library</a>&nbsp;(Every one in here is worth listening to more than once)<br /><a href="http://afterthoughtsblog.net/2015/06/liberal-arts-tradition-classically-charlotte-mason.html">Afterthoughts Series on The Liberal Arts Tradition</a>&nbsp;(If you want to read The Liberal Arts Tradition, read this along with it, or first)<br /><br /><br />On Latin:<br /><a href="http://www.memoriapress.com/articles/top-10-reasons-studying-latin">Memoria Press's Top 10 Reasons to Study Latin</a><br /><br />On Language Arts:<br /><a href="http://www.simplyconvivial.com/2016/teach-writing-without-curriculum">Mystie Winckler's post on Writing</a><br /><a href="http://afterthoughtsblog.net/2014/01/cm-ing-progym-upcoming-series.html">Afterthoughts writing posts</a><br />Classical Writing <a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/tracy-davis-gustilo-and-lene-mahler-jaqua/aesop/paperback/product-3655246.html">Aesop</a> and <a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/tracy-davis-gustilo-and-lene-mahler-jaqua/homer/paperback/product-14697477.html">Homer</a> for teacher training on fable and narrative<br /><br />Blogs:<br /><a href="http://afterthoughtsblog.net/">Afterthoughts</a><br /><a href="http://amongstlovelythings.com/blog/">Amongst Lovely Things</a><br /><a href="http://www.simplyconvivial.com/">Simply Convivial</a><br /><a href="http://edsnapshots.com/">Ed Snapshots</a><br /><a href="http://expandingwisdom.com/">Expanding Wisdom</a><br /><a href="http://amongstlovelythings.com/read-aloud-revival-the-podcast/">Read Aloud Revival</a><br /><a href="http://insideclassicaled.com/">Perrin's Blog</a><br /><a href="http://jrallens.com/">Ten Thousand Places: Jenny Rallens</a><br /><br />Curriculum Companies:<br /><a href="http://classicalacademicpress.com/">Classical Academic Press</a><br /><a href="http://www.memoriapress.com/">Memoria Press</a><br /><a href="http://tapestryofgrace.com/">Tapestry of Grace</a><br /><a href="http://amblesideonline.org/">Ambleside Online</a><br /><br />Podcasts:<br /><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/read-aloud-revival/id870178510?mt=2">Read Aloud Revival</a><br /><a href="https://www.circeinstitute.org/podcast">CiRCE's The Mason Jar</a><br /><br />Books I want to read:<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1500808032/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&amp;colid=367MHFHKCPAQZ&amp;coliid=I3CRZPI4UTHB9E">Consider This: Charlotte Mason and the Classical Tradition by Karen Glas</a>s<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00256Z3RM/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&amp;colid=367MHFHKCPAQZ&amp;coliid=I1C09CLH86C29U">Wisdom and Eloquence: A Christian Paradigm for Classical Education</a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0761814671/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&amp;colid=367MHFHKCPAQZ&amp;coliid=I295I1TU336SEY">Norms and Nobility: A Treatise on Education</a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0060652942/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&amp;colid=367MHFHKCPAQZ&amp;coliid=I89YOW4CB4IYA">The Abolition of Man</a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1586172565/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&amp;colid=367MHFHKCPAQZ&amp;coliid=I33FII77PKS8E8">Leisure: The Basis of Culture</a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0801035775/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&amp;colid=367MHFHKCPAQZ&amp;coliid=I395CHTQ9YEAZO">Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, Worldview and Cultural Formation</a><br /><br /><br /></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541722811479993606noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157131868938967651.post-50127838396662758452015-10-11T21:52:00.000-05:002016-02-18T12:35:21.288-06:00Tapestry of Grace Year 1: Week 4-6, Creation and early Israel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">After taking a look at ancient Egypt for three weeks, we went back to the very beginning in week 4, and began to study the "books of Moses" after coming to an understanding of his own upbringing and life in Egypt. &nbsp;Starting with creation, we studied the Biblical account of how the world came into being, and paid particular attention to the stories of Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, and the genealogy up to Noah. &nbsp;We spent a lot of time understanding the flood and reading about Noah's life, before and after the flood. &nbsp;in our co-op this week, we went outside and measured how long and wide and tall Noah's ark would have been in real life. &nbsp;It was way bigger than any of us had ever imagined!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jo3qq2REuKo/VhsdBSKXSeI/AAAAAAAADHo/8K37oWdaQH0/s1600/IMG_0183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jo3qq2REuKo/VhsdBSKXSeI/AAAAAAAADHo/8K37oWdaQH0/s640/IMG_0183.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We started here, and stepped off the length of the ark...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ApS0EMOHE78/Vhsc9outaRI/AAAAAAAADHg/60auMLoJmic/s1600/IMG_0185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ApS0EMOHE78/Vhsc9outaRI/AAAAAAAADHg/60auMLoJmic/s640/IMG_0185.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You can hardly even see where we started! It was so far!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BnmCNXvAKi0/Vhsc715V9II/AAAAAAAADHY/EY8Je5CvSRg/s1600/IMG_0186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BnmCNXvAKi0/Vhsc715V9II/AAAAAAAADHY/EY8Je5CvSRg/s400/IMG_0186.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We went back inside and got to work on making timbrels, which were a simple instrument similar to a tambourine the Israelites used.&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p7w51puDDrE/VhsdCPIIFlI/AAAAAAAADHw/JBs--DAA854/s1600/IMG_0188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p7w51puDDrE/VhsdCPIIFlI/AAAAAAAADHw/JBs--DAA854/s640/IMG_0188.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is a great group of kids, learning and building memories together!&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Week 5 was all about the Tower of Babel, and learning about the early cultures of Sumer and Ur, as well as leaders like Sargon. &nbsp;In our group class we got messy and made simple ziggurats out of boxes and paint!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nDD6BWbeYbI/VhsdFukmeuI/AAAAAAAADH4/KGYOQS3qA3o/s1600/IMG_0238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nDD6BWbeYbI/VhsdFukmeuI/AAAAAAAADH4/KGYOQS3qA3o/s320/IMG_0238.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--QmpRJWpaXQ/VhsdHE7pjvI/AAAAAAAADIA/gC6V-_5Gsmk/s1600/IMG_0240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--QmpRJWpaXQ/VhsdHE7pjvI/AAAAAAAADIA/gC6V-_5Gsmk/s320/IMG_0240.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lFXem2VSsyA/VhsdK2Hnn6I/AAAAAAAADII/96H0PJ_pcqg/s1600/IMG_0242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lFXem2VSsyA/VhsdK2Hnn6I/AAAAAAAADII/96H0PJ_pcqg/s320/IMG_0242.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5CWz-qorMSM/VhsdLyXiU6I/AAAAAAAADIM/c_RkSK35AbU/s1600/IMG_0243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5CWz-qorMSM/VhsdLyXiU6I/AAAAAAAADIM/c_RkSK35AbU/s640/IMG_0243.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love this group of boys!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-loYCE_r9kLg/VhsdPHZvLOI/AAAAAAAADIY/0qwcgsdOeJ0/s1600/IMG_0244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-loYCE_r9kLg/VhsdPHZvLOI/AAAAAAAADIY/0qwcgsdOeJ0/s640/IMG_0244.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And this group of girls!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1vKbyLp6Y5s/VhsdSvggx7I/AAAAAAAADIg/5Kj0OBC7b_I/s1600/IMG_0246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1vKbyLp6Y5s/VhsdSvggx7I/AAAAAAAADIg/5Kj0OBC7b_I/s400/IMG_0246.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And these big boys!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rnfcKUChJBU/VhsdTu0V7XI/AAAAAAAADIk/AY7XnriHKYw/s1600/IMG_0247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rnfcKUChJBU/VhsdTu0V7XI/AAAAAAAADIk/AY7XnriHKYw/s320/IMG_0247.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ckNdjuhgZ6c/VhsdYRRBDUI/AAAAAAAADIw/BIcsWTCgBCs/s1600/IMG_0252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ckNdjuhgZ6c/VhsdYRRBDUI/AAAAAAAADIw/BIcsWTCgBCs/s400/IMG_0252.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The next week, we took the opportunity to get outside and spend some quality time with nature. My beautiful Kansas girl!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uFvivy8MNhw/VhsddEPzGhI/AAAAAAAADJA/IQp_73coJDk/s1600/IMG_0253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uFvivy8MNhw/VhsddEPzGhI/AAAAAAAADJA/IQp_73coJDk/s400/IMG_0253.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The kids almost immediately found a turtle. &nbsp;This turtle lucked out, because he got to go home with Luke's buddy and live in their old garden. &nbsp;He's a very happy turtle now.&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KqVmYACrEy0/Vhsdb1mqV0I/AAAAAAAADI4/ViP8rMp_tH0/s1600/IMG_0254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KqVmYACrEy0/Vhsdb1mqV0I/AAAAAAAADI4/ViP8rMp_tH0/s320/IMG_0254.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O0esYAAOS1w/Vhsdki8mLTI/AAAAAAAADJI/F_DCs_3hi_0/s1600/IMG_0256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O0esYAAOS1w/Vhsdki8mLTI/AAAAAAAADJI/F_DCs_3hi_0/s400/IMG_0256.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kids and creeks go so well together.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h1HjLonp9ao/VhsdlsBmIdI/AAAAAAAADJY/Aahps2f6Mus/s1600/IMG_0259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h1HjLonp9ao/VhsdlsBmIdI/AAAAAAAADJY/Aahps2f6Mus/s320/IMG_0259.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Liw5QfOkRu0/Vhsdk9Xz2II/AAAAAAAADJM/Mfr19CU9zQo/s1600/IMG_0260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Liw5QfOkRu0/Vhsdk9Xz2II/AAAAAAAADJM/Mfr19CU9zQo/s320/IMG_0260.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4qOfit1Ipo0/VhsdtSgUMVI/AAAAAAAADJg/uE6WIlyB7O0/s1600/IMG_0261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4qOfit1Ipo0/VhsdtSgUMVI/AAAAAAAADJg/uE6WIlyB7O0/s320/IMG_0261.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qelysvldArw/VhsdtnKBcII/AAAAAAAADJo/m4W0NRYmmjY/s1600/IMG_0265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qelysvldArw/VhsdtnKBcII/AAAAAAAADJo/m4W0NRYmmjY/s320/IMG_0265.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We also had a nice encounter with a very friendly police officer who drove by and helped us with a ball in the road. &nbsp;He came back with stickers for all four kids. &nbsp;Go Derby Police!</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Week 6 we spent learning about the Patriarchs of Israel and how Abraham left his home and traveled, and how Joseph eventually ended up in Egypt, which led us back to Moses. &nbsp;We're really enjoying our second pass through the ancient world, it's so much more fun with friends this time! &nbsp;More fun things to come in the next three weeks!<br /><br /></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541722811479993606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157131868938967651.post-57745705015899976512015-08-24T21:16:00.004-05:002016-02-18T12:35:48.752-06:00Tapestry of Grace Year 1: Weeks 1-3, A Look at Egypt<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Every year, I have these grand dreams of blogging each week about what we did in school. I usually make it about 10 weeks before I fall off, if even that. &nbsp;So this year, I'm not having any expectations of myself, and maybe, ever few weeks, I'll get around to re-capping what we've done.<br /><br />The first three weeks of Year 1 are an in-depth look at Egypt and the context in which Moses grew up and was educated, learning about the Israelites in slavery, their exodus, Egyptian religion and mythology, mummification and pyramids. &nbsp;Egypt is such a fascinating place, and we have so much evidence of their lifestyle that it's a fascinating thing to study!<br /><br />Here's some highlights from our last three weeks!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CvDLMnDY-uk/VdvMtHc9COI/AAAAAAAADEQ/IZfuw7wsXPQ/s1600/IMG_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CvDLMnDY-uk/VdvMtHc9COI/AAAAAAAADEQ/IZfuw7wsXPQ/s320/IMG_0011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Handwriting!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ySA4e5eWHc8/VdvMuFaycPI/AAAAAAAADEY/6oRaxyiM0AI/s1600/IMG_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ySA4e5eWHc8/VdvMuFaycPI/AAAAAAAADEY/6oRaxyiM0AI/s320/IMG_0012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Luke working on math!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0jj6R60ixdc/VdvMuJy2E6I/AAAAAAAADEc/KQWfxKy8Ax8/s1600/IMG_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0jj6R60ixdc/VdvMuJy2E6I/AAAAAAAADEc/KQWfxKy8Ax8/s320/IMG_0015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We started a timeline this year. &nbsp;I am loving this, and so are the kids. I wasn't sure if they would enjoy it, but they really have gotten into it and are starting to make some connections as a result.&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zgcj-VBUVwQ/VdvMu-snxeI/AAAAAAAADEk/ymO0pWU6mwk/s1600/IMG_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zgcj-VBUVwQ/VdvMu-snxeI/AAAAAAAADEk/ymO0pWU6mwk/s320/IMG_0016.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Math studies...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V_PH8Qdgr0w/VdvMyN99gTI/AAAAAAAADE4/Db8aRdIq1z0/s1600/IMG_0059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V_PH8Qdgr0w/VdvMyN99gTI/AAAAAAAADE4/Db8aRdIq1z0/s400/IMG_0059.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We celebrated our first week of school by one last trip to the pool!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I9_5ZzuE4eA/VdvMygQ_ZQI/AAAAAAAADE8/F2-HEl69vqU/s1600/IMG_0061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I9_5ZzuE4eA/VdvMygQ_ZQI/AAAAAAAADE8/F2-HEl69vqU/s320/IMG_0061.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Levi and Meryn created a sugar cube pyramid. &nbsp;We only had one small accident with the hot glue gun. Yikes!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o1Dic4h-03c/VdvMzOw2wlI/AAAAAAAADFE/qvMyobh3FGc/s1600/IMG_0062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o1Dic4h-03c/VdvMzOw2wlI/AAAAAAAADFE/qvMyobh3FGc/s320/IMG_0062.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Luke made a sphinx out of clay.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IXAdK95CeZc/VdvM0sLo4OI/AAAAAAAADFQ/dQwL5NPVDjg/s1600/IMG_0063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IXAdK95CeZc/VdvM0sLo4OI/AAAAAAAADFQ/dQwL5NPVDjg/s320/IMG_0063.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kiryn made clay bricks and built a pyramid with them.&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WA0gi4Bh8D4/VdvM1j3YUlI/AAAAAAAADFc/6T6a5zozx08/s1600/IMG_0065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WA0gi4Bh8D4/VdvM1j3YUlI/AAAAAAAADFc/6T6a5zozx08/s320/IMG_0065.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had our first ever Latin class! &nbsp;We are so excited to have now five students in class. &nbsp;We are using Latin for Children A, and the kids are really enjoying their chants and being together for this. &nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1vRllZK8nJY/VdvM1mkJ1LI/AAAAAAAADFY/8-yyvb4FzIk/s1600/IMG_0067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1vRllZK8nJY/VdvM1mkJ1LI/AAAAAAAADFY/8-yyvb4FzIk/s320/IMG_0067.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thank you, Dr. Perrin, for our grammar instruction every week!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xfLENT2_KsA/VdvM4bzBZoI/AAAAAAAADFo/okN-54qi538/s1600/IMG_0090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xfLENT2_KsA/VdvM4bzBZoI/AAAAAAAADFo/okN-54qi538/s320/IMG_0090.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We spent half a Saturday out in nature at a park.&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y9BKLvypBk8/VdvM5rlioSI/AAAAAAAADF4/QErY6Ifqzow/s1600/IMG_0093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y9BKLvypBk8/VdvM5rlioSI/AAAAAAAADF4/QErY6Ifqzow/s640/IMG_0093.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fowP5MP6NPA/VdvM4-QFNOI/AAAAAAAADFs/0XKgJk3mPX0/s1600/IMG_0095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fowP5MP6NPA/VdvM4-QFNOI/AAAAAAAADFs/0XKgJk3mPX0/s320/IMG_0095.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We are studying insects in depth this year, and so we're on the lookout for interesting bugs. &nbsp;Kiryn found this awesome praying mantis and we kept him for a few hours to observe him.&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2dEpVgiUw3g/VdvM6wD6-yI/AAAAAAAADGA/H3XO1V8Vwd4/s1600/IMG_0096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2dEpVgiUw3g/VdvM6wD6-yI/AAAAAAAADGA/H3XO1V8Vwd4/s400/IMG_0096.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is what our read-aloud time looks like right now. &nbsp;Coloring, shape blocks, whatever can keep hands busy while I read aloud!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O5IwsKxZreA/VdvM8KO8WHI/AAAAAAAADGI/CwvIM19Uy3s/s1600/IMG_0100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O5IwsKxZreA/VdvM8KO8WHI/AAAAAAAADGI/CwvIM19Uy3s/s320/IMG_0100.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kiryn really enjoys creating beautiful designs with these blocks!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-piSSJjk32D8/VdvM8aFMDFI/AAAAAAAADGM/0pdGgu3g4qE/s1600/IMG_0115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-piSSJjk32D8/VdvM8aFMDFI/AAAAAAAADGM/0pdGgu3g4qE/s320/IMG_0115.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We successfully accomplished our first ever Tapestry co-op! &nbsp;The little kids made Egyptian paddle dolls...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rWY_1KlqkWQ/VdvM9P--4AI/AAAAAAAADGU/PsuDtBrC2lg/s1600/IMG_0117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rWY_1KlqkWQ/VdvM9P--4AI/AAAAAAAADGU/PsuDtBrC2lg/s320/IMG_0117.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The big kids made reed boats out of wheat stalks. &nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OmHEKxWtarE/VdvM-Ry03aI/AAAAAAAADGk/3i35_fvoA7Y/s1600/IMG_0120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OmHEKxWtarE/VdvM-Ry03aI/AAAAAAAADGk/3i35_fvoA7Y/s320/IMG_0120.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The finished paddle dolls, full of creativity! :) (These kids are 3-7 years old!)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1uD_D23BDTw/VdvM_aiwXbI/AAAAAAAADGw/kMLdGYIC-IY/s1600/IMG_0121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1uD_D23BDTw/VdvM_aiwXbI/AAAAAAAADGw/kMLdGYIC-IY/s320/IMG_0121.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We have been having such gorgeous weather the past week that we've taken school outside quite a bit. &nbsp;For some reason, Meryn is wearing a superman cape. &nbsp;Kiryn looks like she has a hijab on! &nbsp;But earlier she had been in the tree reading Peter Pan, and a bird landed on her head! &nbsp;She wanted to camoflouge herself to try to get a bird to land on her again, thus the black drape?!?&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V0PjQvHqzYQ/VdvM-fF7q3I/AAAAAAAADGg/1AsHPJqdvn8/s1600/IMG_0124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V0PjQvHqzYQ/VdvM-fF7q3I/AAAAAAAADGg/1AsHPJqdvn8/s320/IMG_0124.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another Kiryn original.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gnZs3ll6pt0/VdvNA6KCL8I/AAAAAAAADG4/n1WxVknjVDI/s1600/IMG_0126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gnZs3ll6pt0/VdvNA6KCL8I/AAAAAAAADG4/n1WxVknjVDI/s320/IMG_0126.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We're off to a great start! I'm really enjoying in particular our timeline, the Memoria Press Insect study, and our re-vamped Morning Time with our Memory Notebooks. I have been very impressed with what the kids have committed to memory already, and how meaningful it has become to them. &nbsp;They whip their insect facts out when we're out looking for them and find something interesting. &nbsp;Today we figured out a way to remember the eight orders of insects we're studying in this book! &nbsp;:) &nbsp;Levi is also doing great with his reading, picking it up really well and moving right along with All About Reading and Math-U-See. &nbsp;We've been enjoying reading The Burgess Book about Grandfather Frog, and the Christian Liberty Nature Reader, as well as the Veritas Press readers. &nbsp;The older kids have LOVED A Cry From Egypt, which tells the story of an Israelite family of slaves in Egypt and their experience of living through the plagues. &nbsp;We've learned a lot in just the first ten percent of our year! :) &nbsp;</div><br /></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541722811479993606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157131868938967651.post-84478683943826737762015-08-20T21:57:00.000-05:002016-02-18T12:36:42.830-06:00Planning Ahead in the Summer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Summer is over and school is in full swing! &nbsp;I admit, I am a planner. I love to plan. &nbsp;I love to plan maybe too much. I spent a ton of time this summer pouring over articles and lectures, trying to glean a lot of wisdom for this coming year. I also wanted to be well-prepared in hopes that it would reduce the time spent each week on getting ready for school. &nbsp;The past few years I found myself spending 1-3 hours each weekend printing out sheets, reading notes, getting ready for school the next week. &nbsp;I wondered if I could save myself time by doing it all over the summer. &nbsp;It was a lot of work, but just in the third week of school, I'm already glad I did it. : )<br /><br />Here's what I did that is saving me a ton of time. <br /><br />1. &nbsp;I made a spreadsheet of my typical day and my typical week, and blocked off the times that were not able to be spent doing school (meal times, Bible study, co-op, gymnastics, etc.) &nbsp;Then I knew what I had to work with when it came to our schedule. (In addition, I could see when I was getting overcommitted). :) I got this idea from Misty at <a href="http://www.simplyconvivial.com/">Simply Convivial</a>. She is the organizational queen. <br /><br />(Um, if you're looking at this daily matrix below, please don't be fooled into thinking this *ever* actually happens. :) &nbsp;Normally, we start at around 9, and I don't work out until 4, if I'm not too exhausted. &nbsp;I almost never get up that much earlier than the kids. &nbsp;This is just the idealistic dream of a schedule that one day I will accomplish!) <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KZhy9M7IM54/VdKduAWmoHI/AAAAAAAADDk/gLwyJPsMGPA/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-08-17%2Bat%2B9.58.47%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KZhy9M7IM54/VdKduAWmoHI/AAAAAAAADDk/gLwyJPsMGPA/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-08-17%2Bat%2B9.58.47%2BPM.png" width="287" /></a></div><br /><br />2. &nbsp;I started plugging in when we would study what on a typical day and week. &nbsp;It ended up that we have a very busy Wednesday this year, so Wednesday, I'm not expecting much from us in the way of sit-down-school-work. <br /><br />3. I formatted my online planner to reflect my realistic expectations of everyday and what lessons we would do. &nbsp;Then I copied it and added those lessons to each week for the whole first semester. &nbsp;Now, each week instead of adding a block and each subject, I just have to click that block and add the specific pages or chapter we'll be working on this week. <br /><br />4. &nbsp;I went through Tapestry, Harmony Fine Arts, and our timeline, and printed out everything we will need, and filed it by the week. &nbsp;In my accordion file, I have printed and whole punched Student Activity Pages, Maps, Evaluations, art notebook pages, timeline figures, and coloring sheets for Levi for each week. &nbsp;Each week, I just pull them out and put them in the binders. &nbsp;This is a major time saver.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T_CP6IrtGBw/VdKeW8FvHwI/AAAAAAAADD0/S5_pA_bnd6g/s1600/IMG_0069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T_CP6IrtGBw/VdKeW8FvHwI/AAAAAAAADD0/S5_pA_bnd6g/s320/IMG_0069.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QnnPzFVyDEA/VdKeWrOHrFI/AAAAAAAADDs/qshCYq7kZcU/s1600/IMG_0070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QnnPzFVyDEA/VdKeWrOHrFI/AAAAAAAADDs/qshCYq7kZcU/s320/IMG_0070.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ijCYErj94eg/VdKeWx5_UlI/AAAAAAAADDw/16_6tHbHkxQ/s1600/IMG_0072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ijCYErj94eg/VdKeWx5_UlI/AAAAAAAADDw/16_6tHbHkxQ/s320/IMG_0072.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is their "Humanities" binder. &nbsp;It includes History (Tapestry Student Activity pages), Geography, notebook pages on scientists of the Ancient World we are studying (we are having a heavy focus on people and historical figures this year), Art and Music notebook pages, and their Timeline figures.&nbsp;</div><br />5. I went through Tapestry, Harmony Fine Arts, and our science curriculum and chose projects and experiments for each week. &nbsp;Then I made a list of supplies I needed, and I went and bought it all. I've never done this before, because it seemed like a big expense. &nbsp;But you know what? &nbsp;Every year when I think I'll plan projects as we go, and get supplies as we go, I never get around to getting supplies, and so many fun memories are lost. &nbsp;This year, I decided if I go to the trouble to buy the supplies, I'll feel guilty if I don't use them, so maybe we'll actually do it! :) &nbsp;Ha! So far so good. We've made a sugar cube pyramid, a clay sphinx, and this week, we are making paint from chalk and painting a mural outside. <br /><br />I did a few other little things, like printing the Vocabulary and People glossary for Tapestry, printing out art prints to view for the whole semester, making flash cards ahead of time and laminating them. &nbsp;It is all making my weeks so much easier, stress-free, and easily manageable. &nbsp;What do you do to prepare for your school year to run well? <br /><br /><br /></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541722811479993606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157131868938967651.post-41577522059724756512015-08-17T21:23:00.003-05:002016-02-18T12:37:05.667-06:00Memory Work<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">This year, we are starting a Memory Index! &nbsp;Over the past two years, the kids have had some memory work, but it has mostly been Bible verses, math facts, spelling facts, Presidents in order, states and capitals, and their catechism. &nbsp;This year, we are ready for more. &nbsp;I created a Memory notebook this summer, similar to the Simply Charlotte Mason system, to help us stay organized and regularly review the things we're memorizing. &nbsp;I couldn't believe it could be as simple as reading each piece everyday, and then reviewing. &nbsp;But two weeks in, I'm a believer. &nbsp;Here's how it's working.<br /><br />First, in the binder are the things we are actively trying to memorize. &nbsp;For us right now, that is The Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:3-7), The Happy Farmer (poem), the first part of the Timeline Song, the Books of the Bible, and our catechism. &nbsp;We are also memorizing insect facts and Latin vocabulary/conjugations in those subjects, but I'm not keeping them in the Memory notebook. &nbsp;So each morning during our Morning time, we open up the Memory binder, and read the parable, read the poem, sing the Timeline song, Books of the Bible song (from Slugs and Bugs), and the catechism of the week. &nbsp;Seriously. &nbsp;That's it. And after just two weeks, they have the parable AND the poem down. &nbsp;In addition to seriously hard insect facts and Latin chants. &nbsp;Honestly, I'm shocked, stunned, super impressed that it was this easy. &nbsp;And they enjoy it! &nbsp;They're having fun, and proud of their accomplishment! &nbsp;So, now we move the Parable sheet to the Monday tab, and review it every Monday, while we move the poem to Tuesdays, etc. &nbsp;Once we have something mastered, we review it once a week. &nbsp;And as we master more and more, we move things to a monthly review. &nbsp;<a href="http://mercyisnew.com/2014/03/19/building-a-memory-work-binder/">This website </a>has a much more thorough explanation of how to build a memory work binder that helped me a lot! &nbsp;But it really is super simple! &nbsp;We shall see how this keeps working, but so far, I'm impressed and pleased with it's ease and simplicity. <br /><br />I drew a lot of inspiration from <a href="http://afterthoughtsblog.net/memory-index">Brandy's Memory Index</a> when it came to deciding what to memorize. I would also highly recommend her lecture called <a href="http://www.bakersfieldconference.org/2013/04/free-download-2012-workshop-session.html">"Memorization and the Soul:Why, What, and How".</a>&nbsp; After reading and listening to this lecture and others about the importance of memory work, I am sold. &nbsp;I also created notebooks in my Evernote to start collecting ideas of things to memorize each year that relate to our history studies, specifically famous speeches. I also love <a href="http://edsnapshots.com/memory-work-for-homeschool/">this list</a> at Ed Snapshots of 100 things to memorize!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gPvggVEB4Iw/VdKWOPfEWPI/AAAAAAAADDE/UcvoJTNZgdw/s1600/IMG_0073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gPvggVEB4Iw/VdKWOPfEWPI/AAAAAAAADDE/UcvoJTNZgdw/s320/IMG_0073.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Each student has their own binder. &nbsp;It really helps them to have the words in front of them as they are listening to songs or poems. It makes the memorizing happen more easily.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5OZCL_EYbJE/VdKWOPcL11I/AAAAAAAADDA/yNM1C1EKYh8/s1600/IMG_0074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5OZCL_EYbJE/VdKWOPcL11I/AAAAAAAADDA/yNM1C1EKYh8/s400/IMG_0074.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've got what we're currently memorizing in page protectors so they can flip back and forth each morning.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-656BqrzhOFE/VdKWOGMmZNI/AAAAAAAADC8/v48Vyb0Q70U/s1600/IMG_0075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-656BqrzhOFE/VdKWOGMmZNI/AAAAAAAADC8/v48Vyb0Q70U/s400/IMG_0075.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's a view of their tabs for Monday-Friday. &nbsp;As they memorizing something, we'll move it back to be reviewed one day each week. Since we're just starting, we don't have anything behind those tabs yet, but we're hoping the binder will be full at the end of the year!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eiV9ahurl0s/VdKWPFldK4I/AAAAAAAADDQ/CsGgSM_fNlc/s1600/IMG_0078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eiV9ahurl0s/VdKWPFldK4I/AAAAAAAADDQ/CsGgSM_fNlc/s640/IMG_0078.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's my binder: printed Lessontrek schedule on top, and then in the back are tabs for today's memory work, M-F review, and tabs 1-31 to review on the date. &nbsp;So each day, we do the daily memory work we're working on, and then review, for example, Monday's tab, and tab 17 today, because it's the 17th. &nbsp;This way, ALL our memory work is reviewed monthly and stays fresh. &nbsp;Super easy! &nbsp;</div><br /></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541722811479993606noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157131868938967651.post-72575087762022520312015-08-12T18:06:00.000-05:002016-02-18T12:41:08.408-06:00Do you have a Homeschool Road Map? On Long-Range Planning<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">A couple of years ago, I realized it was time to move from phonics, handwriting and spelling, to learning how to really write for my oldest student. &nbsp;Finishing up second grade and having a confident reader and good printer, I didn't really know what the next step was. &nbsp;I began to do research on writing curricula, not really having any idea how to evaluate them or what I was looking for! &nbsp;I was very quickly overwhelmed. &nbsp;At the same time, I was digging deeper and deeper into understanding classical education, and it's a good thing, because identifying myself as a classical educator saved me from drowning in writing curricula. Because there's one classical way to teach writing, the <a href="http://classicalwriting.com/Progym.htm">Progymnasmata</a>. &nbsp;And a few years ago, I could only find two programs based on it. (<a href="http://classicalwriting.com/">here</a> and <a href="http://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/writing/classical-composition">here</a>) That narrowed it down a LOT!<br /><br />Looking at both those programs, I realized they were long-term investments, and you must start on time, or you're forever behind. &nbsp;Ideally, you'd start in third grade. &nbsp;Shew! I wasn't too late to the party, just in time! :) &nbsp;But it made me realize, I need a game plan here. I need to look at the end, where do I want my children to be when it's time to graduate high school? Not just when it come stop writing, but in terms of their whole education and soul and person. &nbsp;What do I want to have taught them? What programs and skills and knowledge and character do we as their parents want them to have developed? &nbsp;And how are we going to get there? Yep, we were just finishing second grade, and I needed to be thinking about 12th right now.<br /><br />So that summer, I spent hours and hours pouring over classical education resources, articles, podcasts, magazines, books, and I came up with our Road Map. &nbsp;Of course over the past two years, it has morphed and changed slightly. &nbsp;I decided I didn't like the science I thought I would use for the rest of elementary. A <a href="http://classicalacademicpress.com/writing-rhetoric-school-or-homeschool-writing-curriculum/">new progymnasmata writing curriculum from CAP </a>was released, which I LOVED and switched to. &nbsp;Minor changes. &nbsp;But the over-arching goals and steps to get there remain. &nbsp;I'm so thankful I put the time into creating the road map, because every year as I sit down to plan, I can consult it and ask myself what do I need to do *this* year to keep us on track with the end in mind. &nbsp;I have a ten year game plan, people! &nbsp;It's very liberating and confidence-boosting to proceed everyday with the end in mind. <br /><br />Here are some ideas to get you started in creating your own Road Map: (disclaimer: my specifics are more geared toward classical/Charlotte Mason education)<br /><br />-Read. Read widely. &nbsp;I read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Well-Trained-Mind-Guide-Classical-Education/dp/0393067084/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1439420259&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=The+Well-Trained+Mind">The Well-Trained Mind</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Well-Trained-Mind-Guide-Classical-Education/dp/0393067084/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1439420259&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=The+Well-Trained+Mind">Trivium Mastery</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Recovering-Lost-Tools-Learning-Distinctively/dp/0891075836/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1439420314&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=Recovering+the+Lost+Tools+of+Learning">Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Childrens-Sake-Foundations-Education-School/dp/1433506955/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1439420336&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=For+the+Children%27s+Sake">For the Children's Sake</a>, and more. &nbsp;I subscribed to Memoria Press's quarterly magazine, and to Classical Academic Press's catalog, which always has excellent articles. &nbsp;I scoured the <a href="https://www.circeinstitute.org/audio">Circe free podcast bank</a>, and listened to several different <a href="https://www.circeinstitute.org/podcast">Quiddity podcasts</a>. &nbsp;Lately, I've been gleaning a lot from the <a href="http://amongstlovelythings.com/scholesisters/">Schole Sisters</a>; specifically <a href="http://www.simplyconvivial.com/">Simply Convivial</a>, <a href="http://afterthoughtsblog.net/">Afterthoughts</a>, and <a href="http://amongstlovelythings.com/blog/">Amongst Lovely Things</a>.<br /><br />-I compared lots of curriculum companies recommendations. I made detailed notes of <a href="http://www.veritaspress.com/curriculum/">Veritas Press</a>, <a href="http://www.tapestryofgrace.com/index.php">Tapestry of Grace</a>, <a href="http://www.memoriapress.com/">Memoria Press</a>, <a href="http://classicalacademicpress.com/products-for-schools-and-homeschools/">Classical Academic Press</a>, and <a href="http://amblesideonline.org/curriculum.shtml">Ambleside Online</a>. &nbsp;I have a lot of respect for each of these companies and trust their recommendations. &nbsp;I picked the very best things that I loved from each of them, and tried to work it all in to my overall plan. &nbsp;I also asked lots of questions on forums of other classical educators about learning Latin and other languages, writing, anything I didn't know much about. I asked questions and got lots of feedback from others as I worked up my plans. (I even wrote curriculum authors themselves and asked them to explain certain "why's" in their programs as compared to others, and heard back personally from Dr. Christopher Perrin, Dr. Jay Wile, Christine Perrin, and a couple of others!) &nbsp;I also looked at high school graduation requirements in our state and made sure that we were meeting those credit requirements as well. <br /><br />-I made a spreadsheet. &nbsp;It looks like this:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lZ4rYC7s2WY/VcvIgPsuoiI/AAAAAAAADCk/hTWWqOsUD5E/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-08-12%2Bat%2B5.35.08%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lZ4rYC7s2WY/VcvIgPsuoiI/AAAAAAAADCk/hTWWqOsUD5E/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-08-12%2Bat%2B5.35.08%2BPM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />It's a monster. It has each grade/year of study across the top. I divided our studies into Language, Logic, and Content/Knowledge. &nbsp;I drew a lot of this from a mentor who used to teach Latin at Highlands Latin School. &nbsp;Language is basically all things related to language arts. &nbsp;Logic is anything that teaches critical or ordered thinking, and I put science in there as well (because in my opinion, nature study and memorizing the orders of insects and trees is ordered thinking! :)). &nbsp;Content is just the knowledge-based subjects I want to include, like Bible, History, Art, Geography. &nbsp;Tacked on at the bottom is Formal Logic and Rhetoric. <br /><br />Then I started plotting what programs I wanted to use. &nbsp;This was so helpful for me to see on paper in little boxes how it was all going to work together. &nbsp;Could I even do everything I wanted? Were my goals reasonable? If not, how could I adjust? If I wanted the kids to learn both Latin (well enough to pass the National Latin Exam), and to study Greek, when and how would we do that? &nbsp;If I wanted to skip out on our chronological history rotation and dig into Roman government and politics for a year in high school, when should we do that? If we want to spend a year studying educational virtues and vices, what is the best spot to plug that in?<br /><br />I cannot recommend this exercise highly enough. &nbsp;Start as early as you can, thinking through the end goals you have for your children. &nbsp;Every family's plan will look different, and that's what is really fun about homeschooling: getting to set your own goals for your children's education, and then accomplishing them together. &nbsp;Don't be afraid if this takes you months, it did me. And every few months, I open this up and realize, uh oh, I've changed something and I need to update this road map. I think it's Road Map 4.0 by now. :) &nbsp;But having something like this on paper can instill confidence and a path when you face doubt and opposition. &nbsp;I know I've done my homework, and can trust that God has called my husband and I to this very different way of living and learning with our kids, and that He has equipped us and given us all the resources we need to accomplish it for His glory!<br /><br />(*no affiliate links in this post, I just do it to be helpful, not to get something out of it! FYI!)</div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541722811479993606noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157131868938967651.post-24930878278622512022015-07-31T17:00:00.000-05:002015-07-31T17:00:04.253-05:00Ready, Set, Go!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I always like to think of summer as our 'off-time", but this summer it's been my work-in-over-drive-time. &nbsp;I've been busy making Year 1 Tapestry flash cards, researching Memory work and making Memory work binders, cataloging and organizing our library, reading The Liberal Arts Tradition, which, trust me, was work. :) &nbsp;But, I believe all the work will pay off when we start school this coming Monday! I hope I have made it easy on myself to plan and be prepared to make the most of each week!<br /><br />Here are a couple of little tips for getting ready for school that I do each year!<br /><br />1. &nbsp;Did you know the UPS store will bind your books for you? &nbsp;All those paperback, gum-bound workbooks and teacher's manual that never seem to make it through a semester, let along a full year, can be cut and spiral bound! &nbsp;I take all the kids notebooks and any teacher's manuals I have, because they do it for around $3 a book! &nbsp;This includes a nice clear plastic cover front and back to protect the book, and allows the books to open flat and stay flat. <br /><br />2. &nbsp;If you're a Tapestry user, have you printed out your Vocabulary and People Glossaries for the year? In your loom, you can find a document with all the vocabulary words with definitions by week, and another document with all the people covered in your year plan, with a short description, alphabetically with dates. &nbsp;I always print these out and put them in a notebook or Proclick notebook. They're just really nice to have on hand to refer to when needed!<br /><br />Here's to a great start this year! : )</div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541722811479993606noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157131868938967651.post-34442556619352736192015-05-20T15:47:00.001-05:002016-02-18T12:41:22.213-06:00Planning by the Week<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I have tried all kinds of different things when it comes to weekly planning. &nbsp;Each year, I make my own planning sheets, tailored to what we're doing that year. &nbsp;I have tried programs like Olly, Google calendar, using my iCalendar, and more. I usually settle on a homemade planning sheet I print each week and hand write the assignments on. &nbsp;But it was getting tedious for me this past year, AND, there was little record at the end of the year of what we'd actually done. &nbsp;Keeping grades has not been a real priority for me yet, but in the coming years, it will be. &nbsp;So that's been in the back of mind as well.<br /><br />Sometime in the fall, I read about Lessontrek. I've always avoided those monthly subscription kind of planners where everything is online, but they were offering a four month free trial, so I figured, why not? I can get a good feel for it in four months, and for nothing! <br /><br />I've gotta tell you, I love this planner. &nbsp;It makes it so easy to create classes and regular assignments, to set a weekly routine that you just fill in the blanks, to move things around, and to keep grades, not to mention, having a page for each student and navigating back and forth super easily. I can also save a PDF of each week plan, as well as print it out, so I don't have to stay tied to my computer. &nbsp;Entering things on the computer goes so much faster than handwriting out a schedule for me. &nbsp;There's usually a sale going on for a year subscription, and I got mine for $30. &nbsp;I figured I'd spend almost that on a planner anyway, so justified the expense. :) &nbsp;It has become staple in my planning. &nbsp;I also use a separate print out to help me organize Tapestry readings, but then enter it into Lessontrek to work from through the week.<br /><br />I organize my Lessontrek into four blocks:<br /><br />- Morning Time<br />- Daily Work<br />- Weekly Work<br />- Tapestry of Grace<br /><br />Here's a screen shot or two of my planner: <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6rzFjdvFkgw/VVzwfumz8VI/AAAAAAAADBs/BQLp-He-N0U/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-05-14%2Bat%2B1.47.20%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="326" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6rzFjdvFkgw/VVzwfumz8VI/AAAAAAAADBs/BQLp-He-N0U/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-05-14%2Bat%2B1.47.20%2BPM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />All the color-coding and boxes to check just make the J-personality-type-heart SO happy! :)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TDoVR_CnrzM/VVzwbujuCMI/AAAAAAAADBg/hyn491Q91gg/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-05-20%2Bat%2B3.40.35%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TDoVR_CnrzM/VVzwbujuCMI/AAAAAAAADBg/hyn491Q91gg/s640/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-05-20%2Bat%2B3.40.35%2BPM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />We work through our day in that order. &nbsp;We always begin with Morning Time. &nbsp;For this past school year, we have had the following categories in Morning Time:<br /><br />-Bible and Catechism Song<br />-Hymn: learning hymns together, as well as how to sing from a hymnal and harmonize<br />-Poetry: We pick an anthology, and each read one poem aloud a day. &nbsp;Takes about 5 minutes, no planning.<br />-Read Aloud: Sometimes Tapestry literature, sometimes a book we're just enjoying together<br />-Memory Work: M: President Song from Veritas Press, T: Math Facts, W: States and Capitals Songs from Kathy Trowel, Th: Bible memory verses, F: Review all<br />-Harmony Fine Arts: Picture studies, artist biographies, listening to music, note booking, etc.<br /><br />Working through this each day takes anywhere from 20-40 minutes, depending on how long we read aloud, and how cooperative the littles are. :) &nbsp;I try to get the littles busy on drawing, cars, blocks, play-doh, something to keep them occupied, so we can read in peace. &nbsp;But, most of the time, there are distraction and interruptions. We just plod on and get through it!<br /><br />Daily Work is next. &nbsp;The subjects I want us to come to daily are Latin, Math, and Writing, for right now. &nbsp;So each day, we just spend 15-20 minutes on each of those subjects, and usually in an hour, we're done with them. <br /><br />At this point, we're usually ready for a break, if not before this! &nbsp;We take a snack break and have a few minutes of free play. &nbsp;Then we get back to weekly work for 30-45 minutes before breaking for lunch.<br /><br />Weekly Work this year has covered:<br />-Reasoning and Reading: 3 times a week (M-T-W)<br />-Science: 3-4 times a week (M-T-Th-F)<br />-Handwriting: 1 time a week (W)<br />-Spelling: 2 times a week (TH-F)<br /><br />So we usually have two things we do in Weekly Work each day. &nbsp;This can take us usually around 20-30 minutes, but sometimes longer if I have unfocused students. &nbsp;Typically, I can get them going on something like Reasoning and Reading, or Handwriting, and then give them some time to complete it while I work with the littles on Math or Reading, Letters and handwriting practice. <br /><br />Now it's lunch time! &nbsp;If the kids have math that wasn't finished in the allotted time from Daily Work, or anything else not yet done, they have to work on this until lunch, or until they're finished. <br /><br />After lunch, Meryn has been taking a nap, usually going down around 1:30. &nbsp;While she sleeps, we dive into our fourth block, Tapestry of Grace. &nbsp;As I shared in my review post, I have really backed off of some of the more time consuming productivity (which can become busy work) that goes with Tapestry. &nbsp;I have put off lap books until later, if ever. &nbsp;We don't do much note booking anymore if at all. &nbsp;Mainly we just sit together and read the history books and talk about it. &nbsp;This may be because we have been dealing with the modern era this year. &nbsp;So our reading has been around things like World War I and II, the Cold War, Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Clinton, the Iraq War and 9/11. &nbsp;These are deep subjects, which don't necessarily lend themselves to fun art projects like building pyramids. :) &nbsp;(Tapestry compensates for this by doing a world survey in Units 3 and 4 and bringing in art projects from different cultures, and having a year-long invention project, which looked neat, but we didn't do!) I'm glad this was our fourth year with Tapestry, because the kids are older and were able to handle some of the things we faced in history this year. &nbsp;All that to say, we have done a lot of reading this year on the couch, all the geography, and most of the literature worksheets. &nbsp;And I've felt like that is enough. &nbsp;We have done a few projects , but maybe five or six all year long. &nbsp;Still, it's been a good year with Tapestry. <br /><br />Next year, I anticipate Morning Time looking very much the same, with some shifting in the Memory Work we cover. &nbsp;I also expect our daily work to look very similar, though science may get moved to daily next year. &nbsp;I do not plan to do both Science in the Ancient World AND The Insect Book study everyday. &nbsp;Science in the Ancient World covers the beginning of scientific discovery through 1500 AD. &nbsp;So I plan to use the lessons related to what we're studying in history. &nbsp;So this book will take us almost through two years of history studies. &nbsp;Tapestry Year 1 covers beginning to Roman Empire (roughly 100 AD I believe), and then Year 2 covers Roman Empire through Exploration (100 AD to 1799). &nbsp;I plan to spread out the Science in the Ancient World lessons to when they're appropriate to our history studies. &nbsp;And on the off days, work through the Insect Book. &nbsp;We may even start the Insect Book this summer, because it looks like a lot of fun, and what better time to learn about insects than summer! :)<br /><br />Our weekly work next year will shift considerably. &nbsp;If science is removed, and Reasoning and Reading, we'll plug in the English Grammar Recitations and Geography there. Handwriting is super quick and easy for us, the kids do 2-4 pages a week, and it takes basically no planning on my part. I just have them open their book and pick up where they left off. &nbsp;Spelling is also very laid back and easy. &nbsp;It doesn't take much planning on my part, either. &nbsp;We tend to cover the new topics in the lesson on one day, and then do review and sentence dictation on the second day. &nbsp;It takes less than ten minutes both days. &nbsp;But I admit that spelling has not been a struggle with my kids, it has come naturally to them, and been easy to pick up. I know it's not that way for all kids, and some require a lot of time with spelling. <br /><br />I hope this is helpful to understand how in the world we get it all done. &nbsp;Honestly, many times, we don't! :) &nbsp;And other days, we finish it all so fast, I don't know what to do with the rest of the day!! &nbsp;But for me and my house, I like to be busy and have a routine and a plan. &nbsp;The less down time, the better. &nbsp;We do really value outside time, and free play. &nbsp;They get plenty of that! :) &nbsp;I have found that for us, having a faster moving day where we have short lessons on a variety of things makes the day move faster, we cover more ground, and it hasn't resulted in a lower level of mastery for us. &nbsp;For me, my big rocks are Bible and character training, Latin and Math, and writing, because it's teaching beginning thinking skills. &nbsp;The rest are the small rocks that we fit in and around, and leave out if we have to.&nbsp;</div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541722811479993606noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157131868938967651.post-3973604689327098092015-05-20T14:06:00.001-05:002016-02-18T12:41:39.740-06:002015-16 Curriculum Picks for Preedy Academy!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I always look forward to this post, because I love planning! &nbsp;I have been encouraged this year in finding that there are others out there too who really get into the planning and curriculum research, making lists and spreadsheets. I really love this part of homeschooling, and it's fun to share all the fruits of my labor and what eventually emerges as my plan for the coming year.<br /><br />I'm not changing too much this time around. &nbsp;Next year will be my sixth year schooling at home, and each year I think I'm hitting my stride and refining my visions and getting closer to making no changes. : ) &nbsp;I imagine I'll always be re-evaluating and finding what works for each child as they learn and grow, so even my broad strokes plan will probably never be in concrete until it's done!<br /><br />I'm excited to share my plan for next year with you, and in the next two posts, I'll share how I plan for each day/week, and then, about my long-range planning.<br /><br />So without further adieu, here is what is in store for us in the coming year! I will have THREE official students this coming year!<br /><br />Luke and Kiryn (5th and 4th grade):<br /><b><u>Language</u></b>:<br />- <a href="http://classicalacademicpress.com/writing-rhetoric-school-or-homeschool-writing-curriculum/">Writing and Rhetoric</a>: Book 2, Narrative and Book 3, Narrative II<br />-<a href="http://classicalacademicpress.com/latin-for-children-primer-a-program-1/">Latin for Children Primer A</a><br />-<a href="http://allaboutlearningpress.net/go.php?id=991">All About Spelling Level 5</a><br />-<a href="http://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/penmanship/new-american-cursive">New American Cursive 2 &amp; 3</a><br />-<a href="http://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/writing-and-english-grammar/english-grammar-recitation-workbook-one">English Grammar Recitations</a><br /><br /><b><u>Logic:</u></b><br />-<a href="http://store.mathusee.com/catalog/math-u-see/">Math-U-See Gamma &amp; Delta</a><br />-Piano Lessons from Grammy!<br /><br /><b><u>Knowledge:</u></b><br />-Bible<b style="text-decoration: underline;">:</b> We'll be doing Community Bible Study this year, and so using their materials at home through the week. &nbsp;We'll also continue with the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Westminster-Shorter-Catechism-Songs-Vol/dp/B00320J86C">Westminster Catechism Songs</a>, and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Training-Hearts-Teaching-Minds-Devotions/dp/0875523927/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1432148529&amp;sr=1-1-catcorr&amp;keywords=training+Hearts%2C+Teaching+minds">Training Hearts, Teaching Minds.</a><br />-Science: <a href="https://www.bereanbuilders.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&amp;key=SIASET">Science in the Ancient World</a>, with Memoria Press <a href="http://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/science/book-insects">Insect Nature Study</a><br />-<a href="http://www.memoriapress.com/curriculum/american-and-modern-studies/geography-i">Geography I</a><br />-<a href="https://www.lampstandbookshelf.com/ZC/index.php?main_page=index&amp;cPath=6_26">Tapestry of Grace Year 1</a>: Blend of Upper Grammar and Lower Grammar work, studying the Ancient World<br /><br />Additional Enrichment:<br />-<a href="http://amblesideonline.org/04bks.shtml">Ambleside Online</a> Literature selections for Read-Alouds from Years 4 and 5<br />-Ambleside Online Free Reading selections for both kids. They are expected to always be reading a book for fun, but it has to be quality. :)<br />-Draw and Write through History: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Write-Through-History-Creation-through/dp/0977859703/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1432148102&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=Draw+and+Write+through+History">Creation through Jonah</a>, and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Draw-Write-Through-History-Greece/dp/0977859711/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1432148102&amp;sr=8-3&amp;keywords=Draw+and+Write+through+History">Greece and Rome</a><br />-Ken Ludwig's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/How-Teach-Your-Children-Shakespeare/dp/0307951502/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1432148175&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=Ken+Ludwig">How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare</a>, along with some Ambleside Online Shakespeare titles<br /><br />For my KG/1st Grader:<br /><a href="http://allaboutlearningpress.net/go.php?id=991">-All About Reading Level 1</a><br />-<a href="http://store.mathusee.com/catalog/math-u-see/">Math-U-See Alpha</a><br /><a href="http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/007472">-Handwriting Without Tears, second book</a><br />-<a href="https://www.lampstandbookshelf.com/ZC/index.php?main_page=index&amp;cPath=6_26">Tapestry of Grace Year 1</a>: basic Lower Grammar history books for fun, and <a href="http://www.tapestryofgrace.com/game/">The Big Story Game</a>&nbsp;and <a href="http://www.lampstandbookshelf.com/ZC/index.php?main_page=product_info&amp;cPath=98_136&amp;products_id=703">Primer Activity Book</a><br /><br />Now that I've got it all picked out, I've got the summer to pour over it and get it into a cohesive plan! :) I've already got a to-do list a mile long! &nbsp;I'd love to hear what others are planning for next year! Blessings!<br /><br /><br /></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541722811479993606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157131868938967651.post-28971246726367868282015-05-13T20:54:00.000-05:002016-02-18T12:42:01.051-06:002014-2015 Curriculum Reviews!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Goodness. &nbsp;This year just really got away from me! I always have the best intentions to keep my blog active and going. And every year, I start strong, finish invisibly! But, I hopefully will always get around to my curriculum reviews and choices for the coming year, because I know it is helpful for me, and hopefully, for some of you as well!<br /><br />So, from my blog post last summer, these were my choices for this past school year:<br /><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">In Language:</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">-McGuffey Readers</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">-<a href="http://classicalacademicpress.com/beginning-reasoning-reading/#.VVPE8GBWw0s">Beginning Reasoning and Reading</a></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">-<a href="http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/034311">New American Cursive</a></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">-</span><a href="http://allaboutlearningpress.net/go.php?id=991" style="color: #6699cc; font-family: Cardo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;">All About Spelling Levels 4 and 5</a><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">-<a href="http://www.classicalwriting.com/Aesop.htm">Classical Writing Aesop A/B</a></span><a href="http://www.classicalwriting.com/Aesop.htm"><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Cardo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /></a><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">In Logic:</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">-<a href="http://www.mathusee.com/">Math-U-See</a> Gamma and Delta</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">-<a href="http://classicalacademicpress.com/song-school-latin-1-program/">Song School Latin 2</a> (this is arguable both language and logic)</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">-Yamaha Piano lessons</span><br /><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Cardo; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">In Content:</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">-Daily Bible readings with Westminster Catechism songs and Training Hearts, Teaching Minds by Starr Mead</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">-<a href="http://www.tapestryofgrace.com/explore/">Tapestry of Grace</a> Year 4 Upper Grammar!</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">-<a href="http://harmonyfinearts.org/">Harmony Fine Arts</a> Year 4: Modern Times</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: &quot;cardo&quot;; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">-<a href="http://shop.apologia.com/79-chemistry-and-physics">Apologia Chemistry and Physics</a></span><br />*NONE of these affiliate links (except the All About Spelling), I just do it cause I love ya! ;)<br /><br />Okay, so. &nbsp;Let's get started.<br /><br />1. McGuffey Readers: &nbsp;I have always really loved these books. &nbsp;I've used them as reading practice, comprehension practice, outline practice, copyworb and more. &nbsp;But we have not used them very regularly this year. &nbsp;I have been growing a lot as a teacher, and while I think these do have their place, I am leaning more toward living books, real literature. &nbsp;These are well written, but short snippets. &nbsp;They do have their place for morality teaching, but we have slightly out grown them in terms of our language arts needs. I'll keep them around and encourage the kids to look at them, or pull them out to find an essay to outline. &nbsp;But won't schedule it in next year on a weekly basis.<br /><br />2. &nbsp;Beginning Reasoning and Reading: &nbsp;This books series great! &nbsp;It is divided into four sections: Word Meaning, Sentence Meaning, Paragraph Meaning, and Reasoning Skills. &nbsp;They teach kids how to understand the point of different sentences, main ideas of paragraphs, how to judge opinions, determine if a paragraph offers enough information, and more. &nbsp;We completed the whole first book this year, not realizing ideally you would spread it out over two years. &nbsp;So we won't use it next year, because the next book, Reasoning and Reading 1, is recommended for grades 5-6. &nbsp;Luke is a young 5th grader, and Kiryn a very young 4th grade next year. &nbsp;So we'll put this on hold, and pick it back up the following year. &nbsp;I do plan to work through all three books, and will spread them out a little more next time! :)<br /><br />3. &nbsp;New American Cursive: &nbsp;I'm still very satisfied with these books. &nbsp;Luke finished the second book this year, Kiryn is halfway through it. &nbsp;We do handwriting once a week, and its pretty self-directed for me, no planning, just open the book and complete the next page or two or three. &nbsp;Simple, and easy.<br /><br />4. Classical Writing Aesop: Okay. &nbsp;I love the idea of this writing program. &nbsp;Well, it's more than a writing program. It's a full language arts/literature/classic books program. &nbsp;It was working really well for us, although a little boring and dry. I did have a problem with some of the ways the fables were re-worked, or the fable choices in some chapters. &nbsp;Just not what I would have preferred for them to learn, given the treasure trove of Aesop's work. &nbsp;Overall though, I appreciated the approach to writing the program offers, and thought Classical Writing was the most thorough program out there. &nbsp;Halfway through the year though, as I was looking ahead at the scope and sequence for 5th, 6th, 7th and beyond, I realized that the intensity quickly ramps up. &nbsp;In the upper years and in high school, there is a lot of literary analysis and reading required. &nbsp;That is great. I love it. But I was looking at it realizing: I can do Classical Writing, or I can do Tapestry of Grace. I can't do both. &nbsp;So of course, that was a pretty easy choice for me. &nbsp;My goals for my kids revolve more around understanding the development of the world and God's story, and not as much around the development of literature itself and the ability to write. I don't necessarily need to turn out Pulitzer price winning writers from 12th grade. ;) &nbsp;But I would like to give them the foundation to turn themselves into that, if that is something they love and are gifted at. &nbsp;So I decided in the middle of this year that I couldn't complete the Classical Writing series, I would inevitably choose Tapestry over CW. &nbsp;So since I knew I wasn't going to continue with it, and I had been eyeing for a year or more the new Writing &amp; Rhetoric from Classical Academic Press, I did something I almost never do. I abandoned CW mid-year, and bought Writing &amp; Rhetoric Fable. &nbsp;I decided to start at the beginning of W&amp;R, and I'm so glad I did. &nbsp;We finished the first book this spring semester, and it was just delightful. &nbsp;It was a breath of fresh air, let me tell you! &nbsp;Delightful illustrations, well-written commentary, recaps of the skills taught in each lesson in the teacher's book. &nbsp; We are in the last few lessons now, and the kids have studied 12 different fables, I think, and they're spending the next two weeks, crafting their own fable. &nbsp;I love how it has worked up to a big project where they will use all the skills they've gained to create something of their own. &nbsp;I loved the fable choices, the lessons they taught, everything. &nbsp;Each week includes reading a fable, telling it back, talking about it, writing exercises, including copywork, dictation, sentence play, copiousness, and more. &nbsp;It is systematic, but not boring or dry. &nbsp;Excellent, and I am very excited to continue with it next year!<br /><br />5. Math-U-See: Yay, y'all! This is the first year I have not looked around for a new math program!! &nbsp;I am confidently sticking with Math-U-See next year. &nbsp;Levi started Primer in January, and he's almost done with it! He loves Mr. Steve so much, he said the other day, "Mom, I want my hair like Mr. Steve's." If you haven't seen Mr. Steve, go to the MUS website, and you'll get a chuckle that Levi wants his hair. :) Yay for Math-U-See!<br /><br />6. Song School Latin 2: &nbsp;I am still just delighted with this program. &nbsp;The kids both love learning Latin, because Song School Latin makes it fun. &nbsp;We had the DVD this year, which was a huge benefit. &nbsp;Even Levi and Meryn love watching the video! &nbsp;We got into more grammar this year, and I am impressed at how well Luke and Kiryn are retaining it. &nbsp;They have really mastered a lot of the vocabulary. &nbsp;Last weekend, we were in town at a restaurant. &nbsp;Kiryn came out of the bathroom and said, "Mom, I think some people here know Latin, because a sign in the bathroom said, "Llavo." &nbsp;That means wash!" &nbsp;They are finding Latin words and roots everywhere, and understanding how English words are derived. It's so much fun.<br /><br />7. &nbsp;Bible: We have enjoyed our laid back approach to Bible this year. &nbsp;We've been reading through The Child's Storybook Bible, by Catherine Vos, a chapter a day, and then reading the devotion from Training Hearts, Teaching Minds, and learning the catechism song for the week. &nbsp;Simple and easy, and enriching. <br /><br />8. &nbsp;Tapestry of Grace Year 4: &nbsp;We are finished with our first four year cycle! &nbsp;Upper Grammar has been much more challenging for us than Lower Grammar. I struggled in the second and third unit, feeling like I needed to be doing more and more of Tapestry, all the map work, lap books, vocabulary and more. &nbsp;This spring, I've kind of gone down a rabbit hole though, of teaching from rest, thanks to Sarah Mackenzie at <a href="http://amongstlovelythings.com/blog/">Amongst Lovely Things</a>, and <a href="http://insideclassicaled.com/">Christopher Perrin</a> and his <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wi9UBSIu10M&amp;list=PLzp_T_ZWg1haiGt9vxzwQu0PgjuTGsgfP">lectures</a> on <a href="http://amongstlovelythings.com/scholesisters/">schole</a> (Greek for leisure, the opposite of work). &nbsp;I have learned so much, and have so much more to learn. I have a list of books on classical educational philosophy about a mile long I want to start reading over the summer. &nbsp;But so far, it has left me very much chilled out and wanting to enjoy the next few years we have before we get into Dialectic level learning. I want to just relax and enjoy stories and nature, life, art, games, relationships with each other. &nbsp;Uh oh, maybe I'm becoming more Charlotte Mason than Classical! :) &nbsp;Nope. &nbsp;But really, I have chilled a lot about Tapestry, and we are just enjoying the story of history, and projects that make it come alive, and giving our diligence and hard work to Latin and Math, mostly, right now.<br /><br />9. &nbsp;Harmony Fine Arts: I confess, I have not always seen the incredible value in art and its importance in the curriculum. &nbsp;If there's something that gives, it's art in our house. &nbsp;I'm ashamed to say it, but, there it is. &nbsp;As I've been learning about the importance of contemplating truth, goodness, and beauty, I've realized, art is non-negotiable. &nbsp;We have to get around to it regularly. I've also read a lot about <a href="http://www.ordo-amoris.com/">Morning Time</a> from Cindy Rollins, as a time set aside to begin each day with that truth, goodness, and beauty, admiring and contemplating it. &nbsp;We have implemented a Morning Time for the past few months, and having a plan for art and music is crucial for me. &nbsp;Harmony Fine Arts is a great plan. : ) &nbsp;It incorporates artist and composer biographies, podcasts to listen to, links to YouTube videos of music, coloring pages, art prints, drawing lessons and assignments and more. &nbsp;We have really truly enjoyed our study of it this year! (Though we are far from completing the lessons, since we got behind.)<br /><br />10. &nbsp;Apologia Chemistry and Physics: &nbsp;Over the past four years, we have covered science in a schedule recommended in The Well-Trained Mind: biology, earth science and astronomy, chemistry, then physics. &nbsp;I've used a variety of programs, but mostly Elemental Science, which I really loved. &nbsp;I had always planned to move to Apologia for upper level science, because I had always heard such wonderful things about it. &nbsp;When I wasn't totally thrilled with the Elemental Science Chemistry, I decided to switch to Apologia Chemistry and Physics in the middle of last year. &nbsp;We have plodded our way through the Apologia Chemistry and Physics book for the past three semesters. &nbsp;Let me tell you, this book was not for us. &nbsp;I have another Apologia book (Zoology 1), and I just can't get myself excited about it, either. <br /><br />I think there are two reasons it just does NOT work for us. &nbsp;First, I know it says it is written for K-6th grade. &nbsp;But seriously, it's not. &nbsp;:) &nbsp;I'm thinking possibly 5th-8th grade. &nbsp;Maybe 4th -7th if I'm being generous. &nbsp;The readings are not very engaging, filled with factual data and information that was just sometimes not well explained, in my opinion. &nbsp;Secondly, the lessons are super long, without much direction as to how to arrange them. &nbsp;If I went by the suggested schedule, we'd spend two weeks on each lesson. &nbsp;The first week on a lesson, we'd spend about 3 hours reading aloud from the textbook, and then doing a few pages in the notebook journal. &nbsp;The second week, we'd have slightly less reading, but would have multiple experiments to try back to back. &nbsp;There wasn't a good flow to the book, and the lessons just went on for too long for us. &nbsp;I'm a planner, but even after a year and a half, I never could figure out a way to plan this book to make it flow well and be logical. &nbsp;We will not be continuing with Apologia Science. I may consider it again when we get to 7th grade and we would be using the books written by Dr. Jay Wile. &nbsp;But am abandoning the Fulbright books for good. : )<br /><br />Thanks so much for being interested and making it through this! &nbsp;Let me know your thoughts! &nbsp;While these programs work or don't work for us, that does not at all mean they will work or not work for you and your family! So examine the curriculum carefully. &nbsp;Download samples, compare it to others in the same category. &nbsp;Write the company and ask questions. &nbsp;But most importantly, determine your own goals for your kids, your school year, and yourself, and let all your choices be guided by those things! Blessings as you hunt for goodies for next year!</div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541722811479993606noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157131868938967651.post-65435049580498903242015-01-23T11:45:00.000-06:002015-01-23T11:45:50.168-06:00A Compelling Reason for Rigorous Training of the Mind - John Piper<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I read this today in my devotional time from "A Godward Life", by John Piper. It's just too good not to share. I will come back to this again and again when I'm discouraged in homeschooling. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">"A Compelling Reason for Rigorous Training of the Mind</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thoughts on the Significance of Reading</div><br />I was reading and meditating on the Book of Hebrews recently, when it hit me forcefully that a basic and compelling reason for education - the rigorous training of the mind - is so that a person can read the Bible with understanding.<br /><br />This sounds too obvious to be useful or compelling, but that is because we take the preciousness of reading for granted. &nbsp;We fail to appreciate the kind of thinking that a complex Bible passage requires. <br /><br />The Book of Hebrews, for example, is an intellectually challenging argument based on Old Testament texts. &nbsp;The points that the author makes hang on biblical observations that come only from rigorous reading, not light skimming. &nbsp;Understanding these Old Testament interpretations in the text of Hebrews requires rigorous thought and mental effort. &nbsp;The same could be said for the extended arguments of Romans, Galatians, and the other books of the Bible.<br /><br />This is an overwhelming argument for giving our children a disciplined and rigorous training in how to think an author's thoughts after him from a text - especially a biblical text. &nbsp;An alphabet must be learned as well as vocabulary, grammar, syntax, and the rudiments of logic, and the way meaning is imparted through the sustained connections of sentences and paragraphs. <br /><br />The reason Christians have always planted schools where they have planted churches is because we are a people of the book. &nbsp;It is true that the book will never have its proper effect without prayer and the Holy Spirit. &nbsp;It is not a textbook to be debated. &nbsp;It is a fountain for spiritual thirst and food for the soul. &nbsp;It is a revelation of God, a living power, and a two-edged sword. None of this, however, changes the fact that apart from the discipline of reading, the Bible is as powerless as paper. &nbsp;Someone might have to read it for you, but without reading, its meaning and power are locked up. <br /><br />Is it not remarkable how often Jesus settled great issues with a reference to reading? &nbsp;For example, in the issue of the Sabbath he said, "Have you not read what David did?" (Matthew 12:3). &nbsp;In the issue of divorce and remarriage he said, "Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female?" (Matthew 19:4). &nbsp;On the issue of true worship and praise, he said, "Have you not read,'Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babes you have prepared praise for yourself'?" (Matthew 21:16). &nbsp;On the issue of the resurrection, he said, "Did you never read in the Scriptures, 'The stone which the builders rejected, this became the chief cornerstone'?" &nbsp;(Matthew 21:42). &nbsp;To the lawyer who queried him about eternal life, he said, "What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?" &nbsp;(Luke 10:26). <br /><br />The apostle Paul also gave reading a great place in the life of the church. &nbsp;For example, he said to the Corinthians, " We write nothing else to you than what you read and understand, and I hope you will understand until the end" (2 Corinthians 1:13). &nbsp;To the Ephesians he said, "When you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ" (Ephesians 3:4). To the Colossians he said, "When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicean" (Colossians 4:16). &nbsp;Reading the letters of Paul was so important that he commanded it with an oath: "I adjure you by the Lord to have this letter read to all the brethren" (1 Thessalonians 5:27). <br /><br />The ability to read does not come intuitively. &nbsp;It must be taught. &nbsp;And learning to read with understanding is a lifelong labor. &nbsp;The implications for Christians are immense. &nbsp;Education of the mind in the rigorous discipline of thoughtful reading is a primary goal of education. &nbsp;The church of Jesus is debilitated when his people are lulled into thinking that it is humble or democratic or relevant to give a merely practical education that does not involve the rigorous training of the mind to think hard and to construe meaning from difficult texts. &nbsp;The issue of earning a living is not nearly so important as whether the next generation has direct access to the meaning of the Word of God. <br /><br />We need an education that puts the highest premium under God on knowing the meaning of God's Book and growing in the abilities that will unlock its riches for a lifetime. &nbsp;It would be better to starve for lack of food than to fail to grasp the meaning of the Book of Romans. &nbsp;Lord, let us not fail the next generation!<br /><br />-From "A Godward Life" by John Piper</div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541722811479993606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157131868938967651.post-65400381100715032362015-01-17T20:50:00.000-06:002016-02-18T12:42:18.858-06:00Tapestry of Grace Year 4: Week 16: Unconditional Surrender<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">This week, we came to understand how World War II was brought to a close. &nbsp;We all were sobered to read about the destruction and devastation across Europe, and the effects of the world's first atom bomb in Japan. &nbsp;After weeks of studying war, we're glad for it to be over.<br /><br />The big news this week is that Levi has officially started kindergarten! &nbsp;I didn't think he was ready in the fall, but he does NOT want to wait until September, so he's digging in now! &nbsp;He's blowing through his Math -U-See Primer with a smile on his face.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n0TKNyL2cE8/VMG1Eucm0gI/AAAAAAAAC_8/6fYj_FFZA-s/s1600/IMG_7457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n0TKNyL2cE8/VMG1Eucm0gI/AAAAAAAAC_8/6fYj_FFZA-s/s1600/IMG_7457.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S3qy8SEGXJU/VMG1EbDSS7I/AAAAAAAAC_0/7OyHvDCFB-s/s1600/IMG_7458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S3qy8SEGXJU/VMG1EbDSS7I/AAAAAAAAC_0/7OyHvDCFB-s/s1600/IMG_7458.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8wCSwW1D_RQ/VMG1Dsry0cI/AAAAAAAAC_w/tax_aigtpQg/s1600/IMG_7504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8wCSwW1D_RQ/VMG1Dsry0cI/AAAAAAAAC_w/tax_aigtpQg/s1600/IMG_7504.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is what greets me every Sunday as i plan for school for the week. &nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VxtPav7KkuI/VMG1GCE9k5I/AAAAAAAADAI/cl1xuSnwnmw/s1600/IMG_7511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VxtPav7KkuI/VMG1GCE9k5I/AAAAAAAADAI/cl1xuSnwnmw/s1600/IMG_7511.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Song School Latin. &nbsp;We all LOVE to watch the videos. &nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qpp5BFWp6CE/VMG1HDoVTlI/AAAAAAAADAU/f-NDjaYFB0k/s1600/IMG_7512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qpp5BFWp6CE/VMG1HDoVTlI/AAAAAAAADAU/f-NDjaYFB0k/s1600/IMG_7512.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Levi and Meryn practicing their letters.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Lq1dyaAyvQ/VMG1HKsYwDI/AAAAAAAADAQ/dM7PHyBXzU0/s1600/IMG_7513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Lq1dyaAyvQ/VMG1HKsYwDI/AAAAAAAADAQ/dM7PHyBXzU0/s1600/IMG_7513.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Luke and Kiryn learning about and practicing pointillism. &nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Earlier in January, I also hosted my first Tapestry Tea! &nbsp;I finished my advisor training and am now officially a Tapestry Advisor! &nbsp;I feel really privileged to be able to represent Tapestry and help others put it to the best use in their homeschool. &nbsp;I had five moms come to explore Tapestry, and we had a great time hanging out, getting to know each other, and talking homeschool. &nbsp;We hope to have a small group forming a Tapestry Fellowship Group for the fall! &nbsp;I'm looking forward to digging deeper into Tapestry with others by my side! &nbsp;</div><br /></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541722811479993606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157131868938967651.post-44970245928939483472015-01-13T22:46:00.001-06:002016-02-18T12:42:37.127-06:00Tapestry of Grace Year 4: Weeks 7-15<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Yes. &nbsp;They happened. &nbsp;The fall really got away from me! &nbsp;Also, I find it hard to document the weeks when we don't have a fun craft or activity. &nbsp;And since I'm just really bad at the activity side of things, there are many weeks that I don't have any pictures.<br /><br />We finished the first unit and had a wonderful Unit Celebration, our first one ever! &nbsp;My parents and grandparents came, and the kids did a great job displaying their work. Sad to say I did not get any pictures! We were too busy hosting! :) <br /><br />When Christmas came, the kids were so excited to have our own lights on a house. &nbsp;We've never been able to do that before, so ti was a big deal to them. &nbsp;Paul began by putting them up in a tree, and promptly fell out. &nbsp;He broke both of his wrists! It has been a whirlwind the past six weeks. &nbsp;Thankfully, he is recovering really well. He is able to do almost everything except lift more than five pounds. &nbsp;He obviously had to quit at UPS and has been at home with us all the time, which we love!! <br /><br />We had to back off school for awhile so I could take care of Dad. But we're back on track as of last week. <br /><br />I'm so excited to be close to finishing up our first cycle of Tapestry of Grace. &nbsp;Now that we're in the US, I'm really hoping to have a Tapestry of Grace co-op forming this next year. &nbsp;Praying for a few families to join us with the goal of having strong group running in a few years when we hit the Dialectic stage!<br /><br />Here are the few pictures I did manage to capture for the last 8 weeks of school!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TPBbYoD9fbo/VL1HKa6UEMI/AAAAAAAAC-I/9wH1FdQPer4/s1600/IMG_7139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TPBbYoD9fbo/VL1HKa6UEMI/AAAAAAAAC-I/9wH1FdQPer4/s1600/IMG_7139.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SQoMFwggpoE/VL1HKz2FGPI/AAAAAAAAC-Q/JfRl40tiIik/s1600/IMG_7151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SQoMFwggpoE/VL1HKz2FGPI/AAAAAAAAC-Q/JfRl40tiIik/s1600/IMG_7151.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kc1gZ8Nf2Nc/VL1HLOh3X8I/AAAAAAAAC-Y/ZbcgzYbvthg/s1600/IMG_7152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kc1gZ8Nf2Nc/VL1HLOh3X8I/AAAAAAAAC-Y/ZbcgzYbvthg/s1600/IMG_7152.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Drawing with Children is going well. :)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sQACxLpnE4U/VL1HMSX-PhI/AAAAAAAAC-k/Ac7X9xlzjm4/s1600/IMG_7153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sQACxLpnE4U/VL1HMSX-PhI/AAAAAAAAC-k/Ac7X9xlzjm4/s1600/IMG_7153.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Levi and I love to create designs with these pattern blocks.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DFoPYHYxLOo/VL1HNkIF1ZI/AAAAAAAAC-4/N67LfymqoXk/s1600/IMG_7167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DFoPYHYxLOo/VL1HNkIF1ZI/AAAAAAAAC-4/N67LfymqoXk/s1600/IMG_7167.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Art for everyone!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--IZYG_f9mkE/VL1HNyZVBuI/AAAAAAAAC-s/XTXmaBqcv4s/s1600/IMG_7168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--IZYG_f9mkE/VL1HNyZVBuI/AAAAAAAAC-s/XTXmaBqcv4s/s1600/IMG_7168.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5kqIPoloVGc/VL1HOonu7EI/AAAAAAAAC-0/vL7XoKjpcxk/s1600/IMG_7169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5kqIPoloVGc/VL1HOonu7EI/AAAAAAAAC-0/vL7XoKjpcxk/s1600/IMG_7169.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ow2b-vhxUU4/VL1HPXLGtpI/AAAAAAAAC_A/Bpur7I5LifA/s1600/IMG_7307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ow2b-vhxUU4/VL1HPXLGtpI/AAAAAAAAC_A/Bpur7I5LifA/s1600/IMG_7307.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oMbgBCT3jjE/VL1HSP0f5eI/AAAAAAAAC_M/vP8P2ulUwdg/s1600/IMG_7308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oMbgBCT3jjE/VL1HSP0f5eI/AAAAAAAAC_M/vP8P2ulUwdg/s1600/IMG_7308.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The kids created newspapers as we read Mr. Popper's Penguins.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Icej__i02uk/VL1HSj3bOnI/AAAAAAAAC_Q/YDQBgbePzb8/s1600/IMG_7309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Icej__i02uk/VL1HSj3bOnI/AAAAAAAAC_Q/YDQBgbePzb8/s1600/IMG_7309.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Luke's drawing of "Winton" Churchill. :)&nbsp;</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GhaJ6ZWGp8Q/VL1HcuIoRhI/AAAAAAAAC_c/veUamaNGc6g/s1600/IMG_7146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GhaJ6ZWGp8Q/VL1HcuIoRhI/AAAAAAAAC_c/veUamaNGc6g/s1600/IMG_7146.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541722811479993606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-157131868938967651.post-39735477289243662422014-11-19T21:34:00.001-06:002016-02-18T12:43:23.013-06:00Classical, or Classical?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I'm a self-professed classical homeschooling mom. &nbsp;At least I try to be. &nbsp;At the beginning of last year when Luke was beginning third grade, I started to think ahead a little, for the first time. &nbsp;K-1-2 had just been about figuring things out for today. &nbsp;How are we going to teach Luke to read? To count and add? What is the most important thing to do in second grade? &nbsp;It was all I could do to figure out what needed to be done a semester at a time.<br /><br />Starting third grade made me realize, I need to be looking down the road a little. I need an end goal, and a plan to get there. &nbsp;So I started reading and researching. &nbsp;It all started with trying to figure out how and when to teach writing and composition, but this took me down a road of diving deeper into the ideas of classical education.<br /><br />Before we started homeschooling, I was recommended to read The Well-Trained Mind, by the Bauers. &nbsp;I loved that book, and decided quickly it was how I wanted to homeschool my kids. &nbsp;History chronologically? A Type A personality's dream! It was how I wish I had been taught. &nbsp;So, as I searched for curriculum, I relied on The WTM suggestions and sequences.<br /><br />But as I dived into a deeper study in third grade, I came across a different stream of ideas among classical educators. &nbsp;I read a ton of articles on CirCe Institute, Classical Academic Press, and more. &nbsp;The key turning point was reading "Trivium Mastery." &nbsp;It explained what I'd been reading, but couldn't quite put my finger on.<br /><br />There are two different ideas in classical education. &nbsp;They both rely on the grammar-dialectic-rhetoric progression. &nbsp;But they understand it differently. &nbsp;Traditionally, the ancient Greeks understood these to be stages of learning. &nbsp;When you begin to study a subject, you begin with the "grammar" of the subject. &nbsp;Depending on the subject, you either slowly or quickly progress and begin to analyze and synthesize, critique and create with what you've learned. &nbsp;For a subject like English, it takes years for children to learn the alphabet sounds, read basic words, then progress to sentences to understand something. &nbsp;But reading a sentence and drawing a picture of it is rhetoric-type work for English. &nbsp;It's 1st grade level, but it's using the grammar they've learned, understanding the words and their meaning, and creating something with it. &nbsp;Full circle. &nbsp;To teach this way, you simply understand the stages of each learning level, and work to take your student through each stage in each subject they're studying, introducing subjects at an age appropriate time.<br /><br />There is also what seems to be a newer interpretation of grammar-dialectic-rhetoric, based on Dr. Dorothy Sayers lectures. &nbsp;This approaches them as relating to a student's age. &nbsp;Because young grammar age children do excel in memory, this has been capitalized on, and parents encouraged to give children a lot of memory work. &nbsp;Students memorize the grammar of any and all subjects, regardless of whether or not it has any meaning to them, or if they are studying it outside of their memory work. &nbsp;In this model, students may spend a year memorizing a set of facts and very impressively be able to recite it at the end of the year. &nbsp;Anything from Latin conjugations, algebraic formulas, geography, English grammar, spelling rules, and all sorts of interesting things! &nbsp;It's simply amazing what kids can do!<br /><br />In reading about all of this, it has helped me so much to identify these two different streams running in the world of classical education right now. &nbsp;I've done a lot of reading and evaluating, and for our family, I really prefer the traditional classical method. &nbsp;I love to have memory work, we do plenty of memory work. &nbsp;We memorize poetry, Bible verses, catechism questions and answers, the Presidents in order, States and capitals, math facts and multiplication tables, spelling rules and other concrete things that kids just need to know to do their studies well. &nbsp;But it's a very small part of our day, not the main thing we do. &nbsp;The main thing we do is read! &nbsp;Tapestry doesn't require any memory work, and I think this is so wise. &nbsp;Memories are built around experiencing history through stories great books, art projects and activities. &nbsp;My kids still talk about building a giant ziggurat, three years ago. &nbsp;They will talk about building a life size World War I trench for years as well. &nbsp;I love the idea of not neglecting dialectic and rhetoric learning in the grammar age. &nbsp;Because they are capable of it at a certain level. &nbsp;That's what brings meaning and understanding in, which is key to true learning and retention. <br /><br />I hope this helps others who are looking at classical education and scratching their heads, wondering what makes one program different from another. &nbsp;There are significant differences, and its good to be aware of them. &nbsp;There are so many great programs out there, and finding the one that's right for your family is the goal! :) <br /><br />Blessings!<br /><br /></div>Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541722811479993606noreply@blogger.com0